THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 

IN  MEMORY  OF 

Helen  Clinton 


PRESENTED  BY 

Kathryn  and  Edna  Greiner 


THE    DIARIES   OF 
WILLIAM    CHARLES    MACREADY 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2007  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/diariesofwilliam01macriala 


WirXIAM    CHARLES    MAC'READY 

From  the  painting  by  Briijgx,  in  the  rollfction  o/  E.  Y.  Loiriw,  K-i'i- 


THE  DIARIES 


OF 


WILLIAM   CHARLES 

MACREADY 

1833— 1851 


EDITED     BY 

WILLIAM    TOYNBEE 

author  of 
'vignettes  of  the  regb-ncy,"  "glimpses  of  the  twenties,"  etc. 


IVITH   FORTr-NINE   PORTRAITS 


IN   TWO   VOLUMES 
VOL.    L 


NEW    YORK 

G.    P.    PUTNAM'S    SONS 
1912 


Richard  Clay  &  Sons,  Limited, 

brunswick  strekt,  stamford  street,  s.k. 

and  bungay,  suffolk. 


^ 

^ 


V.  I 


PREFATORY   NOTE 

In  1875,  two  years  after  Macready's  death,  his  Reminiscences  and 
Selections  from  his  Diaries  and  Letters,  edited  by  the  late  Sir  W.  F. 
Pollock,  Bart.,  were  published  by  Messrs.  Macniillan.  At  that  time  it 
was  thought  desirable  to  withhold  a  considerable  portion  of  the  diaries, 
but  after  the  lapse  of  nearly  forty  years  the  reasons  for  this  suppression 
no  longer  hold  good,  and  the  most  important  of  the  omitted  passages 
are  accordingly  given,  for  the  first  time,  in  the  present  work.  They 
are  not  only  profoundly  interesting,  but  constitute  an  invaluable 
addition  to  the  literary  and  social  history  of  the  period.  Besides 
shedding  new  light  on  Macready  himself  and  his  famous  stage  con- 
temporaries, they  abound  in  intimate  glimpses  of  Dickens,  Thackeray, 
Browning,  Bulwer,  Procter,  Forster,  Talfourd,  and  other  Victorian 
celebrities ;  in  fact,  they  present  a  series  of  character  sketches  unsur- 
passed even  in  the  vivid  pages  of  Greville  and  Creevey. 

The  editor's  thanks  are  due  to  Messrs.  Macmillan  for  kindly  placing 
at  his  disposal  the  copyright  portion  of  their  volumes. 


817076 


INTRODUCTION 

In  1833 — the  starting-point  of  these  diaries — Macready  was,  with 
one  exception  (Edmund  Kean),  foremost  among  English  actors.  His 
life,  extending  from  1793  to  1873,  presents  a  remarkable  span  of  years. 
He  could  recall  Pitt's  first  premiership,  and  was  still  living  when  that 
of  Gladstone  was  drawing  to  a  close.  He  had  trodden  the  boards  with 
Mrs.  Siddons,  and  survived  to  see  the  Bancrofts'  successful  manage- 
ment, and  Irving  rising  into  renown.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three  he 
was  already  a  personage  in  his  profession,  and  after  the  death  of  Kean 
his  supremacy  was  undisputed.  But  although  it  was  to  the  stage  that 
he  owed  his  fame,  he  would  probably  have  won  equal  distinction  in 
more  than  one  other  calling.  He  had,  indeed,  been  destined  for  the 
Bar,  but  a  calamitous  stroke  of  fortune  abruptly  changed  his  career. 
While  a  sixth-form  boy  at  Rugby,  with  the  University  and  a  learned 
profession  in  prospect,  he  was  suddenly  transported  into  the  squalid 
atmosphere  of  a  bankrupt  provincial  theatre  which  his  father,  hitherto 
prosperous,  was  precariously  directing,  shadowed  by  the  sheriff's 
officer.  To  an  aspiring  and  highly  sensitive  public-school  boy  such 
a  transition  must  have  been  little  less  than  torture.  Worse,  however, 
was  to  follow,  for  after  a  few  months'  hopeless  struggle,  the  unfortunate 
manager  disappeared  behind  the  walls  of  Lancaster  gaol,  leaving  his 
son  to  face  the  situation  alone,  a  truly  appalling  plight  for  a  lad  of 
sixteen,  with  practically  no  experience  and  not  a  shilling  in  the 
treasury.  But  a  great  public  school,  if  in  some  respects  a  defective 
training-ground,  seldom  fails  to  implant  a  certain  degree  of  fortitude, 
and  Tu  ne  cede  nmlis  was  a  maxim  that  the  Rugbv  class-rooms  had  not 
inculcated  in  vain.  Heroically  mastering  his  distress,  the  friendless 
youngster  took  command  of  the  stranded  company,  which,  thanks  to  a 
dauntless  spirit  and  no  little  resourcefulness,  he  contrived  to  hold 
together  until  his  father  regained  his  liberty,  and  was  able  to  resume 
control. 

The  elder  Macrendy's  return  to  management  was  siijnallzcd  by  the 
inauguration  of  a  season  at  Birmingham,  a  town  in  which  he  had  long 

vii 


INTRODUCTION 

been  a  favourite,  and  there  he  wisely  decided  that  his  8on  should  make 
his  d6but.  Although  at  Rugby  a  speech-day  actor  of  conspicuous 
talent,  the  youth  had  necessarily  received  very  little  regular  technical 
instruction,  and  in  casting  hini  on  such  an  occasion  for  the  part  of 
Romeo  his  father  must  have  formed  the  highest  opinion  of  his  powers. 
The  event  amply  justified  his  decision.  Modestly  announced  as  "  A 
Young  Gentleman,  being  his  first  appearance  on  any  Stage,"  on  the 
evening  of  Thursday,  June  7,  1810,  the  ex-boy-manager  formally 
initiated  his  long  and  distinguished  career.  According  to  the  portrait 
painted  shortly  afterwards  by  De  Wilde,  he  cut  a  gallant  and 
picturesque  figure ;  and  though  the  audience  was  prepossessed  in  his 
favour,  and  the  local  Press,  perhaps,  somewhat  partial,  the  perform- 
ance was  evidently  one  of  singular  merit,  revealing,  if  not  exactly 
genius,  artistic  qualities  of  the  highest  order.  So  pronounced  a  success 
induced  the  manager  to  repeat  the  play  two  or  three  times,  also  to 
entrust  his  son  with  other  roles,  in  all  of  which  he  achieved  fresh 
triumphs.  The  precaution  of  anonymity  was  now  no  longer  necessary ; 
thenceforward,  the  young  actor  was  boldly  "  billed  "  under  his  own 
name,  and  for  the  next  four  years  took  the  leading  position  in  his 
father's  company,  playing  a  variety  of  parts  with  continuous  success, 
to  which  his  careful  and  unremitting  study  not  a  little  contributed. 
During  this  period,  while  still  in  his  teens,  he  was  accorded  an  unex- 
pected honour,  being  cast  at  Newcastle  in  two  plays.  The  Gamester  and 
Douglas,  with  no  less  a  star  than  the  illustrious  Siddons.  Naturally 
so  august  an  associate  inspired  him  with  no  little  awe,  and  in  the  first 
few  minutes  he  was  on  the  point  of  breaking  down ;  but  she  good- 
naturedly  gave  him  the  missing  word,  and,  gaining  courage,  he 
acquitted  himself  so  well  as  to  evoke  her  hearty  applause  from  the 
wings.  From  one  celebrity  he  quickly  passed  to  another,  though  of 
a  very  different  type ;  for  a  few  months  afterwards  he  was  cast  at 
Leicester  for  Don  Felix  in  The  Wonder  (by  Mrs.  Centlivre)  to  Mrs. 
Jordan's  Violante.  Her  rare  charm  appears  to  have  captivated  him 
even  more  than  her  exquisite  art,  and  it  is  not  surprising  that  in  after 
years  he  should  have  poured  bitter  contempt  on  the  royal  lover  who, 
having  profited  for  years  by  her  splendid  earnings,  abruptly  consigned 
her  to  poverty  and  neglect. 

For  the  next  six  years  Macready  continued  to  act  in  the  provinces, 
steadily  adding  to  his  reputation,  which  had  now  reached  the  metro- 
polis, where,  in  1816,  he  was  definitely  engaged  for  a  five  3'ears'  term 
at  Covent  Garden,  making  his  first  appearance  there  as  Orestes  in 
viii 


WILLIAM    CHARLES    MACREADY 

AS    KOMEO 

(1810) 

From  Ihf  piiintimi  hi/  De    Wilili',  in  the  collection  of  MnJor-G'-nenit  C.  F.  S.  Maciyiuh/,  ('.If. 


INTRODUCTION 

The  Distrcst  Mother.  The  result  was  a  conspicuous  success,  the  more 
gratifying  since  at  that  time  he  was  ahnost  a  stranger  in  London.  The 
severer  test  of  Othello  soon  followed,  and  from  that,  too,  he  emerged 
with  flying  colours.  Though  he  was  not  more  than  twenty-three,  his 
position  as  an  actor  of  the  first  rank  was  now  assured ;  and  at  a  banquet 
given  to  Talma  in  1817  by  the  English  actors,  his  status  in  the  pro- 
fession received  public  recognition  from  no  less  a  celebrity  than  John 
Kemble,  who  singled  him  out  for  the  compliment  of  drinking  wine 
with  him,  a  significant  tribute  from  so  illustrious  a  veteran  to  a  new- 
comer on  the  London  stage.  A  couple  of  years  later  the  manager  of 
Covent  Garden  theatre,  the  fortunes  of  which  had  sunk  to  a  low  ebb, 
resolved  on  the  bold  stroke  of  appointing  him  leading  tragedian,  and, 
with  equal  daring,  chose  for  the  inaugurating  role  Kean's  most  famous 
impersonation,  Richard  IIL  The  experiment  was  one  that  Macready 
would  gladly  have  escaped,  for,  apart  from  Kean's  triumphant  associa- 
tion with  this  character,  neither  his  figure  nor  his  features  were  in  the 
least  suggestive  of  Richard.  But  his  apprehensions  proved  to  be  ill- 
founded.  His  performance  captivated  not  only  the  public  but  the 
Press,  and  he  had  the  special  gratification  of  receiving  a  generous 
tribute  to  its  excellence  from  Kean  himself. 

Macready 's  next  great  success  was  in  the  play  of  Virginius,  by 
Sheridan  Knowles.  Though  a  striking  drama,  it  was  defaced  by  a 
good  deal  of  turgidity,  and  would  have  little  chance  in  the  present  day  ; 
but  on  reading  it  at  the  request  of  a  friend  of  the  author  (then  a 
stranger  to  him),  Macready  perceived  that  the  name-part  supplied  many 
opportunities  which  he  could  turn  to  good  account,  and  he  promptly 
procured  the  play's  acceptance.  Virginius  confronted  the  footlights 
with  the  advantage  of  distinguished  literary  sponsorship,  two  poets  of 
repute,  John  Hamilton  Reynolds  and  Barry  Cornwall,  respectively 
furnishing  prologue  and  epilogue ;  the  success,  however,  that  ensued 
was  attributable  less  to  the  author  and  his  auxiliaries  than  to  the  actor, 
whose  impersonation,  powerful  yet  well-restrained,  was  pronounced  on 
all  sides  to  be  a  masterly  performance.  Such  an  achievement,  following 
so  closely  on  that  of  Richard  IH,  set  tlie  seal  on  Macready 's  reputation. 
He  was  now  not  only  in  the  first  rank,  but  the  acknowledged  heir  to 
the  first  place,  an  artist,  moreover,  who  combined  with  professional  dis- 
tinction an  absolutely  unblemished  character,  in  thc»se  days  a  decidedly 
rare  conjunction.  But  though  a  favourite  with  the  public,  he  was,  un- 
fortunately, far  from  popular  with  the  members  of  his  own  vocation,  a 
fact  which  at  various  times  not  a  little  prejudiced  his  career.    The  causes 

ix 


INTRODUCTION 

are  not  far  to  seek ;  in  addition  to  a  naturally  violent  temper,  he  had 
a  hearty  and  ill-concealed  contempt  for  his  calling.  He  loved  his  art, 
but  he  abhorred  the  atmosphere  to  which  it  subjected  him.  Haughty 
and  inclined  to  be  exclusive,  he  recoiled  in  disgust  from  the  manners 
and  customs  of  the  green-room.  His  public-school  education  and  his 
alienated  prospects  were  constantly  rising  up  in  indignant  protest 
against  the  associations,  mostly  vulgar  and  often  sordid,  among  which 
he  was  doomed  to  pass  his  life.  He  was,  in  truth,  **  a  cut  above  his 
calling,"  and  was  at  no  pains  to  disguise  the  fact  that  he  felt  it  acutely. 
Moreover,  for  an  Irishman,  he  had  very  little  sense  of  humour,  which 
furnished  his  fellow-actors  with  many  tempting  opportunities  of  '*  taking 
a  rise  out  of  him."  Under  such  conditions  it  is  hardly  surprising  that 
he  had  scarcely  a  friend  in  the  profession,  at  any  rate  of  the  masculine 
gender.  Coldly  ceremonious  when  in  a  good  temper,  fiercely  abusive 
when  in  a  bad  one,  always  on  the  watch  for  slights,  and  morbidly  alert 
to  conjure  up  affronts,  his  existence  in  the  theatre  was  little  better 
than  a  long-drawn  ordeal  to  himself  and  a  frequent  source  of  exaspera- 
tion to  his  associates.  On  this  phase  of  his  character  the  diaries  are 
continually  shedding  a  lurid  light,  and  it  amply  accounts  for  many  of 
the  contretemps  that  chequered  his  distinguished  and,  on  the  whole, 
prosperous  career. 

An  event  now  occurred  that  brought  these  unfortunate  defects  of 
temperament  prominently  into  play.  In  1822  the  management  of 
Covent  Garden  theatre  passed  into  new  hands,  the  principal  control 
being  assumed  by  Charles  Kemble,  the  "first-rate  actor  of  second-rate 
parts,"  as  Macready,  with  envenomed  accuracy,  once  described  him. 
Hitherto  Kemble  had  always  been  well-disposed  towards  Macready, 
who,  however,  very  soon  broke  out  into  open  revolt  against  him.  He 
had  various  grievances,  some  well  founded,  but  no  doubt  Kemble's 
main  delinquency  was  an  inadequate  appreciation  of  his  artistic  merits 
and  position.  That  Kemble  was  too  prone  to  cast  himself  for  parts 
to  which  he  was  little  suited  there  can  be  no  question,  and  he  may  have 
been  at  times  somewhat  autocratic ;  but  when  it  is  considered  that  he 
was  a  man  of  nearly  fifty,  and  not  only  manager  but  part  proprietor 
of  the  theatre,  while  Macready  was  still  under  thirty,  and,  though  an 
actor  of  established  eminence,  in  point  of  actual  status  merel}'  a  salaried 
subordinate,  it  seems  only  too  likely  that  the  fault  chiefly  lay  with  the 
younger  man.  At  all  events,  an  incident  soon  occurred  which  revealed 
pretty  clearly  the  extent  of  Macready's  pretensions.  Kemble  had  pro- 
mised to  play  for  some  Benefit,  but  was  prevented  from  doing  so  by 


INTRODUCTION 

the  death  of  his  brother  John,  whereupon  the  organizers  approached 
Macready  with  a  request  for  his  services  instead.  "So,  sir,"  was  his 
preposterous  reply  to  the  emissary  of  the  charity,  "  because  the  corporal 
refuses  to  do  his  duty  you  apply  to  the  commander-in-chief."  Such 
being  his  attitude,  it  is  not  surprising  that  his  engagement  at  Covent 
Garden  was  but  of  short  duration.  After  prolonged  correspondence, 
squabbles,  and  attempts  at  arbitration,  his  relations  with  the  management 
reached  breaking-point,  and  in  1823  he  crossed  over  to  Drury  Lane,  to 
enlist  under  EUiston  at  the  comfortable  salary  of  .£20  a  night,  though 
in  reality  it  was  less  than  it  appears,  as  in  those  days  an  actor  very 
seldom  performed  every  night  in  the  week. 

The  Drury  Lane  engagement  did  not  add  to  Macready's  laurels. 
In  fact,  his  professional  career,  hitherto  brilliantly  progressive,  now 
entered  upon  a  comparatively  uneventful  period ;  though  holding  his 
own,  he  made  no  striking  new  successes,  and  certain  acrimonious  em- 
broilments with  the  critics,  whom,  with  exaggerated  sensibility,  he 
accused  of  a  malignant  attempt  to  belittle  him,  produced  a  condition 
of  dissatisfaction  and  depression  that  contrasted  painfully  with  the 
elation  of  previous  years.  But  if  he  had  his  professional  trials,  he,  at 
all  events,  found  solace  in  the  world  outside.  On  the  occasion  of  his 
youthful  appearance  with  Mrs.  Siddons,  the  great  tragedienne  had 
solemnly  impressed  upon  him  this  excellent  piece  of  advice:  "Study, 
study,  study,  and  do  not  marry  till  you  are  thirty."  The  counsel  was 
faithfully  observed,  but  the  age  limit  had  now  been  passed,  and  in 
June  1824  he  embarked  on  marriage  with  a  young  lady  some  twelve 
years  his  junior,  a  Miss  Catherine  Frances  Atkins,  who  had  played 
Virginia  to  his  Virginius  in  1819,  and  whom  he  had  first  known  as  a 
child,  when  he  took  her  to  task  for  some  shortcoming  in  a  juvenile  part. 
He  had  met  her  afterwards  from  time  to  time,  and  gradually  assumed 
the  relation  of  preceptor,  an  office  that  he  seldom  found  uncongenial ; 
but  as  the  child  grew  into  womanhood  his  attitude  underwent  a  change, 
and  adopting  the  role  of  suitor  without  altogether  relinquishing  that  of 
mentor,  he  proposed  and  was — no  doubt  somewhat  fearfully — accepted. 
The  marriage  proved  on  the  whole  a  happy  one,  though  Macready  must 
have  been  in  some  respects  a  trying  husband.  With  the  tendcrest 
affection  he  mingled  a  tendency  to  "  preachiness  "  and  to  dogmatize 
on  "  rules  of  conduct  "  which  can  hardly  have  been  palatable  to  so 
young  a  wife.  "  Improving  the  mind  "  was  a  process  which  he  imported 
into  his  home  life  with  an  assiduity  that  would  have  inspired  Mr.  Barlow 
of  Sandford  and  Mcrton  renown  with  the  liveliest  envy.     Nevertheless, 

xi 


INTRODUCTION 

in  spite  of  his  sermons  and  sententiousness,  he  was  truly  loved 
by  his  family,  though  not  without  a  certain  admixture  of  awe. 
But  if  he  suggested  in  some  features  the  **  good  husband  and  affec- 
tionate father  "  so  frequently  commemorated  on  eighteenth-century 
tombstones,  it  only  needed  a  great  sorrow  to  elicit  the  strong  antl 
poignant  emotions  that  lay  beneath  the  surface,  and  which  he  records 
in  language  of  almost  overpowering  pathos.  In  his  friendships,  too, 
he  often  did  himself  scant  justice,  for,  though  generous  and  warm- 
hearted, he  gave  far  too  much  rein  to  over-sensitiveness  and  a  disposi- 
tion to  manufacture  grievances.  The  diaries,  indeed,  teem  with  narra- 
tions of  temporary  estrangements  due  to  these  failings,  Dickens  being 
about  the  only  member  of  his  intimate  circle  who  contrived  to  secure 
immunity. 

During  the  two  years  that  succeeded  his  marriage,  Macready  was 
seen  comparatively  little  in  London.  For  a  time  he  was  incapacitated 
by  a  serious  illness,  which  necessitated  a  complete  rest,  and  when 
restored  to  health  he  devoted  himself  to  a  series  of  provincial  tours, 
re-appearing,  however,  at  Drury  Lane  in  the  spring  of  1826.  This 
engagement,  which  was  in  no  way  noteworthy,  was  followed  by  a  visit 
to  America,  where  he  first  saw  his  future  enemy,  Forrest,  then  a  youth 
of  little  more  than  twenty.  The  impression  which  Macready  then 
formed  of  Forrest  was  that  with  diligent  study  he  was  likely  to  make 
a  fine  actor,  though  he  anticipated  (as  it  proved  correctly),  that  the 
flattery  with  which  the  youth  was  constantly  beset  would  lead  him  to 
rate  himself  as  a  finished  artist  before  he  had  well  mastered  the  rudi- 
ments of  his  craft.  As  a  good  deal  will  be  heard  of  Forrest  in  the 
later  portions  of  these  diaries,  it  should  be  stated  that  Macready 's  atti- 
tude to  him  was  from  the  first  not  only  fair  but  generous,  and  that 
Forrest's  savage  and  relentless  hostility  proceeded  solely  from  insensate 
jealousy  and  baseless  suspicions  fomented  by  his  admirers,  in  alliance 
with  certain  of  Macready's  enemies  both  on  the  stage  and  in  the  Press. 

On  his  return  to  England,  after  a  short  and  somewhat  featureless 
interval  at  Drury  Lane  (where  he  came  into  contact  with  another  indi- 
vidual also  destined  to  become  a  formidable  enemy,  Alfred  Bunn), 
Macready  paid  a  visit  to  Paris,  the  iclat  of  which  went  far  to  com- 
pensate him  for  the  uneventfulness  of  his  recent  appearances  in  London. 
The  Parisian  Press,  in  fact,  acclaimed  him  with  an  almost  universal 
chorus  of  praise,  the  culminating  honour  being  paid  by  Jules  Janin, 
who  went  so  far  as  to  pronounce  him  the  equal  of  Talma. 

The  triumphs  of  Paris  were  succeeded  by  a  series  of  rather  humdrum 
xii 


WUJJAM    MACHEADY 

A3   COM.OONY    IN    "THE    IIIISIIMAN    IN    L0NI>0N" 

From  a  paiDliii;/  ht/  /)«   }('ilde  in  tlie  collfction  of  E.  Y.  Lofiir,  K,*'/. 


INTRODUCTION 

provincial  tours,  which,  however,  were  by  no  means  unremunerative, 
their  earnings  representing  an  income  of  over  ,£1800,  a  very  consider- 
able one  for  an  actor  in  those  clays,  unless  he  possessed  the  genius  and 
magnetic  qualities  of  an  Edmund  Kean. 

In  the  autumn  of  1830  Macready  re-appeared  at  Drury  Lane.  With 
the  exception  of  William  Tell  in  Sheridan  Knowles's  drama  of  that 
name,  his  ventures  in  new  characters,  though  always  interesting,  had 
for  some  time  past  made  no  particular  impression ;  but  in  the  name- 
part  of  Byron's  Werner  he  now  scored  another  notable  achievement. 
In  contrast  to  this  sombre  impersonation,  he  also  enacted  Joseph 
Surface  and  Mr.  Oakley  (in  The  Jealous  Wife),  the  latter  performance 
winning  enthusiastic  approval  from  the  critics.  This  became  his 
favourite  part  on  the  comparatively  rare  occasions  when  he  appeared 
in  comedy. 

In  1831  a  Captain  Polliill  (frequently  mentioned  in  the  diaries  in 
far  from  complimentary  terms)  took  over  Drury  Lane  theatre,  with 
Bunn  as  his  stage-manager,  and  in  the  following  year  it  was  decided  to 
run  Kean  and  Macready  as  twin-stars.  Hitherto  Kean  had  firmly 
refused  to  act  with  Macready,  in  whom  he  recognized  a  dangerously 
formidable  competitor ;  but  he  now,  probably  for  monetary  reasons, 
saw  fit  to  withdraw  his  objection,  and  the  two  appeared  in  the  same 
piece  for  the  first  time,  Kean  playing  Othello  to  Macready 's  lago. 
This  combination  was  repeated  on  several  occasions,  but  the  amenities 
of  former  years  had  now  been  transformed  into  strained,  if  not  hostile 
relations.  Macready  complained  of  Kean  taking  up  unfair  positions 
on  the  stage,  while  Kean,  by  this  time  sunk  in  degeneracy,  with  the 
brandy-bottle  always  at  his  elbow,  treated  Macready 's  rather  pompous 
protests — conveyed  through  manager  Bunn — with  opprobrious  inso- 
lence ;  recriminatory  epithets — duly  embroidered,  no  doubt,  by  Mr. 
Bunn — were,  in  fact,  the  order  of  the  day  between  the  eminent  pair, 
and  it  was  perhaps  fortunate  that  Kean  was  soon  removed  from  the 
scene,  otherwise  the  warfare  of  words  might  liave  developed  into 
physical  reprisals,  a  species  of  dinouement  with  which  Macready  was 
destined  to  become  disastrously  familiar  a  year  or  two  afterwards. 

From  this  point  the  diaries  will  speak  for  themselves,  and,  as  the 
reader  will  find,  in  no  reticent  fashion.  The  period  at  which  they  open 
is,  socially  and  politically,  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  the  nineteenth 
century.  The  old  order  was  beginning  to  pale  before  the  new.  Rail- 
roads were  in  their  infancy,  and  the  first  Reform  Hill  liad  just  passed 
into  law.     Gladstone,  a  ducal  protege,  was  ''the  hope  of  the  stern, 

xiii 


INTRODUCTION 

unbending  Tories,"  while  Disraeli,  an  embarrassed  adventurer,  was 
desperately  coquetting  with  democracy.  Dickens  and  Thackeray, 
Tennyson  and  Browning,  had  barely  emerged  into  manhood,  and  formed 
a  connecting  link  with  Wordsworth,  Coleridge,  Lamb,  and  Southey, 
men  who  had  made  their  mark  well  before  the  century  began.  Rogers 
was  still  distilling  venom  in  St.  James's  Place,  and  Luttrell  airing 
epigrams  to  the  Slite  of  Holland  House ;  Croker  was  slashing  in  the 
Quarterly,  Macaulay  glittering  in  the  Edinburgh ;  while  Sydney  Smith 
with  every  flash  of  his  reckless  wit  was  widening  the  distance  between 
his  motley  and  a  mitre.  In  this  brilliant  world  Macready  had  already 
won  for  himself  a  definite  position,  increasing  in  importance  as  years 
went  on ;  and  he  appears  before  the  reader  a  man  in  the  prime  of  life, 
and  prosperous,  with  a  country  home  at  Elstree  and  a  pied-a-terre  in 
London ;  a  member,  also,  of  the  Garrick  Club,  then  of  recent  origin, 
but  steadily  acquiring  the  prestige  and  popularity  which  it  has  so  long 
enjoyed. 

W.  T. 

so,  South  Eaton  Place,  S.W. 
July  1912. 


XIV 


LIST  OF   PORTRAITS 

William  Charles  Macready Frontispiece 

{From  ttu painting  by  Briggs  in  the  collection  of  E.  Y.  Lovme,  Eaq.) 

To  face  page 

William  Charles  Macready  as  Romeo  (1810)      ....     viii 

(From  the  painting  by  De   Wilde  in  the.  collection  of  Major-Oeneral  C.  F.  N. 
Macready,  C.B.) 

William  Macready  as  Colloony  in  "  The  Irishman  in  London  "      xii 

{From  a  painting  by  De  JFiUie  in  the  collection  of  E.  V.  Lcnone,  Esq.) 

W.  C.  Macready's  Mother  n^s  Christina  Ann  Birch         .        .        2 

{From  the  miniature  by  Casivay  in  the  collection  of  Major-General  C.  F.  A\ 
Macready,  C.B.) 

W.  C.  Macready's  Father,  William  Macready    ....        2 

{From  the  miniature  by  Ifalpin  in  the  collection  of  Major-Oeneral  C.   F.  N. 
Macready,  C.B.) 

Madame  Malibran .30 

{From  a  litfiograph) 

Alfred  Bunn 64 

{From  a  lithograph) 

B.  W.  Procter 86 

{From  an  engraving) 
John  M.  Kemble 98 

{From  an  eng^-aving  by  0.  Aclcock  of  a  painting  by  Sir  Thomas  Laivrence,  P.K.A.) 

William  Charles  Macready  as  Eichard  III        ....     136 

{From  the  painting  by  De  iVUde  in  the  collection  of  E.  Y.  Lovme,  Esq.) 

William  Charles  Macready  as  Kino  Lear 144 

{From  an  engraHng) 

Edmund  Kean 160 

{From  an  engraving) 

Elizabeth  O'Neill 180 

{From  a  lithograph  of  a  painting  by  W.  Da/vis) 

XV 


LIST   OF   PORTRAITS 

To  /act  page 

The  Hon.  Mrs.  Norton 232 

{From  an  engravhig  by  Thirnson  of  a  painting  by  Sir  George  ffayter,  Kt.) 

Charles  Matthews 243 

(From  an  engraving) 

William  Charles  Macready  (1835) 272 

{From  the  fainting  by  Daniel  Maclise,  R.A.,  in  the  collection  of  Major-Oeneral 
C.  F.  N.  Macready,  CD.) 

William  Charles  Macready  as  Othello 288 

(From,  an  engraving  of  the  painting  by  Trcccey) 

J.  P.  Harley 296 

(From  an  engraving) 

T.  N.  Talfourd 318 

(From  an  engraving) 

Ellen  Tree  (Mrs.  Charles  Kean) 328 

(From  an  engraving  by  J.  Brown  after  a  miniature) 

Charles  Kemble 352 

(Fro7n  an  engraving.) 

James  Sheridan  Knowles 378 

(From  an  eng'ravijig  Ini  Fiiulen  of  a  drawing  by  T.  Wageman) 

Robert  Browning 390 

(From  an  engraving  by  0.  Cooke  of  a  painting  by  Field  Talfourd) 

Ben.iamin  Webster  .        .        .        .     > 396 

(From  an  oigraving  by  JJ'.  J.  Pmiwl  of  a  photograph  by  Mayall) 

Helen  Faucit,  as  Pauline  in  "  The  Lady  of  Lyons  "         .         .     446 
(From  a  lithograph  by  R.  J.  Lane,  R.A.) 

Douglas  Jerrold     490 

(From  an  engraving) 

Charles  Dickens  (1839)  . 504 

(From  an  engraring  by  Firulen  of  the  painting  by  Daniel  MacHst,  R.A.) 


XVI 


THE   DIARIES    OF 
WILLIAM    CHARLES    MACREADY 

1833 

Elstree,  January  1st, — With  God's  merciful  help  I  trust  to  make 
my  conduct  and  use  of  my  time  during  this  year  more  acceptable  in 
His  sight  than  that  of  my  previous  life  has  been ;  and  I  enter  upon  it 
with  prayers  for  His  blessings  on  my  wife,  friends  and  myself.     Amen  ! 

Spent  much  of  the  day  in  purchasing  necessaries ;  loitered  away  an 
hour,  for  rest,  at  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  read  a  violent  letter  of 
Bulwer  ^  in  reply  to  the  impertinences  of  Lockhart.^  How  much 
precious  tranquillity  of  heart  and  mind  is  lost  by  the  inability  of  man, 
"weak  man,"  to  let  these  feeble  injuries  and  perishable  insults  die  of 
themselves.  Our  own  self-love  it  is  that  blows  the  spark  into  a  flame, 
which  is  fed  by  our  own  cares  and  pains  I  Short-sighted  man  !  Looked 
idly  through  Napier's  Peninsular  War;  an  interesting  account  of 
senseless  and  wicked  proceedings. 

January  2nd. — My  performance  this  evening  of  Macbeth  afforded 
me  a  striking  evidence  of  the  necessity  there  is  for  thinking  over  my 
characters  previous  to  playing,  and  establishing,  by  practice  if  necessary, 
the  particular  modes  of  each  scene  and  important  passage.  I  acted 
with  much  energy,  but  could  not  (as  I  sometimes  can,  when  holding 
the  audience  in  wrapt  attention)  listen  to  my  own  voice,  and  feel  the 
truth  of  its  tones.  It  was  crude,  and  uncertain,  though  spirited  and 
earnest ;  but  much  thought  is  yet  required  to  give  an  even  energy 

^  The  author  and  politician  (1803-1873) ;  afterwards  successively  Sir  E.  Bulwer  Lytton, 
Bart.,  and  Lord  Lytton.  In  1833  his  reputation  as  a  novelist  was  already  established  ;  he 
had  also  sat  for  two  years  in  Parliament  as  an  advanced  Liberal.  In  later  years  he  joined 
the  Conservatives,  and  became  Colonial  Secretary  in  Lord  Derby's  second  Administration. 

■  John  Gibson  Lockhart  (1794-1854) ;  Sir  Walter  Scott's  biographer,  and  for  nearly  thirty 
years  editor  of  the  Quarterly  Review.  His  mordant  pen  and  not  too  scrupulous  tongue 
provoked  many  enmities,  notably  that  of  Harriet  Martineau,  who  scathingly  denounces  him 
in  her  Autobiography. 

VOL.    I.  B  I 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

and  finished  style  to  all  the  great  scenes  of  the  play,  except  perhaps 
the  last,  which  is  among  the  best  things  I  am  capable  of.  Knowles  ^ 
is  ravished  with  his  own  acting,  and  the  supposed  support  it  has  met 
with.     I  wish  I  was  with  mine. 

January  2rd. — Went  home  to  breakfast.  Spent  an  idle,  but  in  all 
other  respects  a  happy  day.  A  well-spent  day  is  pleasing  while  it  lasts, 
and  pleasant  to  remember  when  for  ever  gone ;  a  day  of  mere  pleasure 
is  agreeable  in  its  passage,  but  regret  attends  its  close  in  the  reflection 
that  time  which  God  has  given  for  employment  has  been  squandered, 
or  lost  in  idleness.  Compunction  is  injurious  if  unproductive  of  im- 
provement ;  let  my  revision  of  this  day  enable  me  to  be  more  resolute 
in  my  resistance  of  future  temptations,  and  teach  me  for  my  own  and 
my  children's  good  the  necessity  of  blending  activity  with  enjoyment. 
In  my  absence  from  home  I  am  sometimes  inclined  to  question  the 
prudence  of  living  so  far  from  town ;  but  when,  on  reaching  home,  I 
taste  the  fresh  air  of  the  country,  look  over  its  extent  of  prospect,  feel 
in  a  manner  the  free  range  of  thought  and  sense  through  the  expanse 
of  earth  and  sky  surrounding  me,  I  confess  to  myself,  in  the  delightful 
sensations  I  experience,  that  such  enjoyment  is  worth  some  sacrifice. 

January  Mh. — I  am  again  called  upon  to  note  down  an  instance  of 
my  indolence  and  weakness ;  the  reflections  of  yesterday  only  expose 
me  to  further  self-reproach  to-day.  I  lay  in  bed  until  a  very  late  hour. 
As  some  atonement  I  walked  to  town,  redeeming  part  of  the  day  from 
general  censure  by  using  it  in  the  wholesome  exercise  of  the  body, 
which  is  the  best  use  of  time  after  employing  it  in  strengthening  and 
invigorating  our  minds.     My  acting  to-night  was  coarse  and  crude — no 

^  James  Sheridan  Knowles  (i  784-1 862) ;  better  known  as  a  dramatist  than  as  an  actor, 
though  he  did  not  leave  the  stage  till  1843.  His  principal  plajrs  were  Virginius,  produced 
in  1820  ;  The  Hunchback,  produced  in  1832  ;  and  The  Love  Chase,  produced  in  1832.  Of 
these,  Virginius  was  the  most  successful,  and  provided  (in  the  name-part)  one  of  Macready's 
favourite  rSles,  in  which  he,  from  time  to  time,  continued  to  appear  until  his  final  retirement 
in  1 85 1.  To  the  present  generation  Knowles's  plays  are  practically  unknown  ;  but  in  the 
early  Victorian  era  he  enjoyed  a  considerable  reputation,  according,  at  any  rate,  to  Bulwer, 
who  thus  eulogizes  him  in  a  note  in  The  New  Timon  (1847) :  "  I  have  no  blind  enthusiasm 
for  Mr.  Knowles,  and  I  allow  both  the  grave  faults  of  his  diction,  and  the  somewhat  narrow 
limits  within  which  is  contracted  his  knowledge  of  character  and  life  ;  but  no  one  can 
deny  that  he  has  nobly  supported  the  British  Drama — that  he  moved  the  laughter  and 
tears  of  thousands ;  that  he  forms  an  actual,  living,  and  imperishable  feature  in  the  loftier 
literature  of  his  time — that  the  History  of  the  English  Stage  can  never  be  rewritten  hereafter 
without  long  and  honorable  mention  of  the  Author  of  Virginius  and  The  Hunchback.''' 
(The  note  concludes  with  a  disparagement  of  Tennyson  which,  tc^ether  with  some  bitingly 
contemptuous  lines  in  the  text,  provoked  the  poet's  celebrated  retaliation  in  Punch,  an 
episode  that  is  fully  dealt  with  later  on.) 

2 


s     ~ 


^  ^^ 


1833]  THE   DIARIES    OF   MACREADY 

identification  of  myself  with  the  scene ;  and  what  increased  my  chagrin 
on  the  subject,  some  persons  in  the  pit  gave  frequent  vent  to  indulgent 
and  misplaced  admiration.  The  consciousness  of  unmerited  applause 
makes  it  quite  painful  and  even  humiliating  to  me.  I  thought  this 
day  of  taking  the  Bath  and  Bristol  theatres ;  it  will  probably  go  no 
further.  After  the  play  I  read  some  chapters  of  Napier's  History  of 
the  Spanish  War.  A  book  hard  to  lay  down,  sometimes  ambitious  in 
style,  but  full  of  philosophical  observation  and  reflections,  and  con- 
taining most  spirited  and  interesting  narratives.^ 

January  5th. — I  have  made  a  proposal  to  take  the  Bath  and  Bristol 
theatres  for  a  short  season  during  Lent.  I  hope  my  vanity  or  sanguine 
desire  of  gain  has  not  misled  me  in  my  anticipations  and  dependences. 
I  wish  to  procure  an  independence  for  my  dear  children,^  and  I  think 
this  speculation  likely  to  be  productive  of  good  in  itself,  and  to  offer 
me  a  certainty  of  remoter  benefit.  I  have  had  some  doubts  as  to  the 
sum  in  which  I  should  subscribe  to  Mrs.  Jackson's  ^  print ;  but  I  have 
decided  upon  the  larger,  which  is  still  much  less  than  I  wish  to  give ; 
I  know  that  I  expose  myself  to  the  charge  of  imprudence  and  extrava- 
gance, but  am  I  to  endeavour  to  feed  the  widow  and  the  orphan  literally 
with  the  crumbs  that  fall  from  my  table?  I  cannot  so  interpret  the 
text  of  that  Teacher  whose  name  be  blessed  by  all  who  have  hearts  to 
feel  the  love  He  taught.     Amen. 

January  6th. — By  an  omission  of  my  messenger  I  was  not  up  before 
eight  o'clock,  which  compelled  me  to  undergo  the  expense  of  a  chaise  to 
Elstree.  My  thoughts,  when  led  to  more  important  things  than  the  day 
before  me,  were  divided  between  the  character  of  Othello  and  my  pro- 
posed speculation  at  Bath,  etc.     I  saw  my  dear  children  quite  well,  and 

^  Macready's  literary  judgments  are,  for  the  most  part,  well  worth  quoting.  Naturally 
endowed  with  much  clearness  of  insight  and  correctness  of  taste,  he  never  allowed  himself  to 
lose  touch  with  the  classical  authors,  of  which  he  had  acquired  a  sound  knowledge  when  a 
sixth-form  boy  at  Rugby.  He  thus  attained  a  degree  of  scholarly  culture  that  was  wholly 
exceptional  among  the  actors  of  that  day,  whose  reading  was  mostly  confined  to  the  newspaper 
and  the  prompt-book.  It  is,  accordingly,  not  surprising  to  find  him  the  intimate  associate  of 
such  men  as  Dickens,  Thackeray,  Browning,  Carlyle,  Bulwer,  Henry  Taylor,  and  other 
notable  Victorian  writers. 

2  The  "  wish  "  here  expressed  became,  in  fact,  a  cherished  and  paramount  duty  which 
Macready  always  kept  steadfastly  before  him.  To  secure  an  adequate  provision  for  his  family 
was  with  him  a  far  greater  object  than  professional  distinction,  and  one  for  which  he  made 
constant  sacrifices  of  both  health  and  comfort. 

'  The  widow  of  John  Jackson,  R.A.  (i 778-1 831),  who  had  died  recently  leaving  little 
provision  for  his  family.  He  had  painted  a  portrait  of  Macready,  who  had  a  warm  regard 
for  him. 

B    2  1 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

observed  with  satisfaction  improvement  in  my  dear  Christina.^  I 
received  some  guests  to-day  to  whom  I  have  stood  indebted  in  the  dues 
of  hospitable  attention.  So  that  some  purpose  was  fulfilled  to-day. 
The  weather  was  beautiful,  and  made  me  enjoy  the  short  walk  I  took, 
worshipping  the  God  of  Nature  in  grateful  enjoyment  of  His  blessings. 
A  tranquil  and  comfortable  day  with  my  guests.  My  dear  wife  well 
and  cheerful,  and  as  I  wish  to  see  her. 

January  11th. — A  delightful  morning,  which  made  me  still  more 
reluctant  to  leave  home.  Acted  pretty  well  this  evening,'^  particularly 
in  the  dagger  soliloquy,  where  I  took  time  and  felt  what  I  did.  The 
murder  wants  finish  still,  and  the  banquet  scene  revision  and  careful 
polishing.  The  manly  colloquial  tone  that  I  often  used  to-night  was 
earnest  and  good. 

London,  January  8th. — Paid  some  visits  of  ceremony — unmeaning, 
hollow  practices,  irksome  and  embarrassing  in  act  and  productive  of 
no  good  results.  I  allude  entirely  to  the  G s,  who  are  incom- 
prehensible to  me ;  if  they  like  me,  why  do  they  not  cultivate  my 
society  ?  if  they  are  indifferent,  why  not  relinquish  my  acquaintance  ?  "^ 
"What  art  thou,  thou  idol,  ceremony?  "  Why  is  it  that  my  spirits, 
rather  depressed  before,  rose  when  I  saw  an  expression  of  discontent 

on  the  face  of  Mrs.  at  the  retired  life  she  led?     Is  it  an  evil 

feeling  ?  I  think  not — or  that  principle  of  our  nature  that  makes  all 
human  happiness  comparative? 

*  Macready's  eldest  child,  generally  referred  to  in  the  Diaries  as  Nina ;  her  death  in 
1850,  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  was,  perhaps,  his  greatest  sorrow.  His  heart-broken  account 
of  it  is  one  of  the  most  touching  passages  in  the  Diaries.  Though  a  strict,  and  not  always 
judicious  disciplinarian,  he  was  tenderly  devoted  to  his  children,  giving  them  every  advantage 
within  his  power,  and  concerning  himself  unceasingly  with  their  happiness  and  welfare. 
If  at  times  too  rigorous  a  taskmaster,  he  effectively  supervised  their  education,  and  early 
familiarized  them  with  sterling  literature.  There  are  almost  daily  references  to  them  in  the 
Diaries,  but  they  are  mainly  of  too  intimate  a  character  to  admit  of  quotation.  Their  faults 
as  well  as  their  merits  are  impartially  recorded,  but  even  his  severest  displeasure  was  seldom 
untempered  with  evidences  of  deep  and  anxious  affection. 

'  Macready's  criticisms  of  his  acting  are  always  full  of  interest.  His  standard  was  of  the 
highest,  and  it  will  be  found  that  he  was  far  more  often  dissatisfied  than  pleased  with  his 
performances. 

*  Macready  was  extremely  sensitive  as  to  his  social  status,  and  apt  to  suspect  cold- 
ness and  avoidance  where  they  did  not  exist,  but  there  is  no  doubt  that  at  Elstree,  as 
afterwards  at  Sherborne,  he  occasionally  found  himself  looked  upon  askance  by  certain 
pompous  nonentities  simply  on  account  of  his  calling.  In  London  the  honoured  associate 
of  nearly  every  literary  and  artistic  genius,  he  was  too  often  treated  by  "local  gentility" 
with  scant  courtesy  and  consideration,  an  experience  which  had  a  decidedly  embittering 
influence. 


1833]  THE   DIARIES    OF   MACREADY 

January  9th. — In  attending  the  book-club  last  night  I  was 
furnished  with  another  instance  of  that  silly  and  unamiable  ambition  so 
common  in  men,  particularly  little  men,  of  directing  and  legislating 
for  others.  Observation  of  the  errors  of  others  is  wise  or  uncharitable 
according  to  its  result — either  as  it  affords  us  a  practical  lesson,  or  a 
subject  to  descant  upon.  This  morning  I  rose  betimes,  and  rode  out- 
side to  Elstree.  I  felt  pleasure  in  this  little  instance  of  economy 
both  in  time  and  money.  A  beautiful  morning,  and,  though  misty 
afterwards,  giving  me  the  opportunity  of  a  delightful  walk  with 
my  wife  and  sister.  In  the  afternoon  I  read  much  of  Frederick  II 's 
Life :  an  evidence  of  selfish  vanity  abusing  great  abilities,  and 
brutal  subserviency  in  the  men  who  tolerated  his  dominion  over 
them. 

January  10th. — A  letter  from  Mrs.  Jackson  accompanied  the  prints 
which  she  sent  to  my  order ;  I  found  them  on  my  return  to  town,  and 
felt  glad  that  I  had  not  measured  out  more  sparingly  the  amount  of 
my  contribution,  when  I  ascertained  from  the  expressions  of  her 
gratitude  how  much  she  and  her  children  stood  in  need  of  assistance. 
This  evening  I  was  surprised  with  a  billet-doux,*  which  ought  to  have 
found  its  way  to  the  fire  before  me,  instead  of  suggesting  amusement 
to  my  vanity  or  curiosity.  It  is  harder  for  a  player  to  be  a  wise  man 
than  for  most  of  his  fellow  creatures ;  he  can  never  learn  the  lesson 
that  time  teaches  when  his  own  assumptions  and  the  idle  incense  of 
those  around  him  blind  him  to  the  fact  of  his  growing  old.  "  A  fool 
at  forty  is  a  fool  indeed  "  should  be  my  text  in  future. 

January  11th. — Little  to  comment  on  to-day,  beyond  my  own  loss 
of  it.  Rose  late,  and  omitted  dinner,  in  order  to  have  my  powers 
more  at  command  during  my  performance,  which  was  certainly  better 
for  my  abstinence.  I  find  the  good  effect  of  that  natural  manly  tone 
of  dialogue,  with  which  I  must  endeavour  to  improve  the  colloquial 
groundwork  of  my  acting.     This  evening  I  left  at  the  theatre  for  the 

^  This  species  of  attention  was  of  frequent  occurrence  throughout  Macready's  career, 
though  his  powers  of  attraction  hardly  lay  in  his  physiognomy.  But,  like  Jack  Wilkes,  he 
was  "only  half-an-hour  behind  the  handsomest,"  and,  had  he  chosen,  his  conquests  might 
have  been  numerous.  But  he  resolutely  held  all  fair  besiegers  at  arm's  length,  though  always 
with  chivalrous  courtesy.  In  one  instance,  however,  the  lady  (a  gifted  and  charming  actress, 
nearly  twenty  years  his  junior)  proved  so  persistent  that,  without  any  fault  on  his  side, 
he  found  himself  involved  in  a  situation  of  the  greatest  embarrassment.  To  a  man  of  less 
principle  there  could  have  been  only  one  end  to  such  an  affair,  but  with  every  temptation  to 
become  her  lover,  Macready  constituted  himself  her  guardian,  and,  with  inflexible  honour, 
contrived  to  save  her,  in  spite  of  herself. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

managers  a  tragedy  by  a  Mr.  Heraud,^  a  dramatic  poet  in  his  own 
confident  opinion,  secure  of  success ;  perhaps  misled  by  the  injudicious 
recommendation  of  Mr.  Southey  which  led  him  to  experiment  in  tragic 
composition.  Such  advice  leads  me  to  a  reluctant  doubt  of  the 
Laureate's  sincerity,  for  it  is  scarcely  possible  in  this  case  to  suppose 
defect  of  judgment.  Can  that  be  called  good  nature  which  shrinks 
from  inflicting  a  slight  pique  to  the  amour  propre  of  a  friend  with  intent 
to  cure  his  mind  of  a  dangerous  and  still-strengthening  delusion  ?  It 
is  selfishness,  worldliness,  anything,  I  think,  but  justice  or  kindness,  yet 
how  universally  practised ! 

January  12t/i. — My  thoughts  wandering  on  idle,  vain,  unprofitable 
subjects,  and  only  occasionally  resting  on  the  important  consideration 
of  economy  in  my  expenditure  for  the  sake  of  my  dear  children. 
Resumed  my  consideration  of  Othello,  to  which  my  mind  must  be 
given  up.  Visited  by  a  lady,  who  mistook  me  for  a  relation  of  Mr. 
Macready,  a  writer  of  seven  tragedies  and  various  farces ;  this  is  one 
of  the  many  who  waste  life  and  paper  in  their  hopeless  mockery  of 
employment.  Happy  to  return  home ;  began  with  great  delight 
Lardner's  ^  volume  on  Mechanics. 

January  ISth. — Lost  my  morning  in  indolent  and  criminal  sloth- 
fulness,  when  I  should  have  been  engaged  in  exercises  for  the  purifica- 
tion of  my  mind  and  for  invigorating  my  body,  besides  affording  to 
my  servants  and  poor  neighbours  an  instructive  example  by  my  attend- 
ance at  church.  Most  hlameahle!  For  my  own  part  a  much  more 
devotional  spirit  is  awakened  in  me  by  family  prayers  or  lonely  medita- 

*  John  Abraham  Heraud  (1799- 1887),  critic  and  journalist ;  connected,  at  various  times, 
with  Fraser's  Magazine,  The  Illustrated  London  News  and  The  Athenaum  ;  became  a 
Charterhouse  Brother  in  1873  5  f"end  of  the  Carlyles  and  Lockhart,  as  well  as  of  Southey, 
whose  recommendation  was  certainly  not  justified  by  any  dramatic  success  on  the  part  of  his 
protfgf.  The  title  of  Mr.  Heraud's  tragedy  is  not  given,  but  it  appears  that  in  1830  he 
wrote  a  poem  called  The  Descent  into  Hell,  which  may  very  well  have  appealed  to  Southey 
as  the  author  of  a  kindred  work,  The  Vision  of  Judgment.  In  point  of  fact,  the  Laureate, 
though  an  admirable  biographer,  was  a  very  indifferent  poet,  and  scarcely  competent  to 
pronounce  on  Mr.   Heraud's  qualifications  in  this  particular  instance. 

*  Dionysius  Lardner  (i  793-1 859),  a  scientific  writer  of  considerable  repute  ;  in  holy 
orders,  but  devoted  himself  entirely  to  literary  and  scientific  work  ;  editor  of  various  useful 
compilations ;  at  one  time  Professor  of  Natural  Philosophy  at  London  University  (now 
University  College).  His  career  in  London  came  to  an  ignominious  end,  owing  to  his 
elopement  with  the  young  wife  of  a  Brighton  magistrate,  who  pursued  the  pair  to  Paris  and 
subjected  the  philosopher  to  a  severe  castigation,  supplemented  in  the  law  courts  with 
damages  amounting  to  £?>QCO.  Macready,  who  had  been  on  friendly  terms  with  Lardner, 
though  reprobating  his  conduct,  characteristically  declined  to  drop  him  in  his  disgrace,  and 
visited  him  in  America,  during  his  tour  there  in  1843,  when  he  describes  the  professor's 
fallen  fortunes  with  quite  a  "Thackeray"  touch. 

6 


1833]  THE   DIARIES    OF   MACREADY 

tions  than  by  the  forms  of  church  service,  undevoutly  listened  to  and 
often  irreverently  gone  through,  where  charity  is  on  the  lip  of  the 
rich  and  learnt  as  a  word  difficult  of  comprehension  by  the  poor.  But 
for  those  who  cannot  profit  by  reflection,  and  in  whom,  for  their  own 
sakes,  it  is  merciful  to  generate  or  induce,  by  the  effect  of  repeated 
ordinances,  respect  for  piety  as  a  step  towards  its  actual  inculcation, 
it  is  charity  to  afford  example  and  seriously  remiss  to  neglect  an  occasion 
of  impressing  a  notion  of  duty  on  their  minds  in  their  regular  attendance 
at  divine  service.^ 

London,  January  22nd. — I  acted  to-night  with  spirit  and  in  a 
manly  tone,  better  perhaps  than  ordinarily  in  the  part  Rob  Roy.^  A 
curious  evidence  of  egotism  and  importunate  demand  of  attention  to 
business  of  no  concern  to  me  was  afforded  me  to-night  in  Mr.  Heraud's 
letter.^  The  universe  is  but  an  atom  before  the  vastness  of  one's 
self! 

January  9,2rd. — Although  I  cannot  boast  a  victory  over  my  lazy 
habits  in  the  morning,  the  day  has  not  been  an  idle  one ;  indeed,  too 
active  in  reference  to  its  principal  object — principal,  as  respects  my 
means  of  life,  of  educating  and  providing  for  my  children,  viz.  my 
performance,  which  I  may  here  observe  was  "  weary,  stale,  flat  and 
unprofitable  " — a  lack  of  energy,  of  heartedness,  with  more  than 
enough  of  muscular  exertion,  and  all  attempts  at  effect  in  expression 
overclouded  by  the  perpetual  scowl  that  contracted  and  darkened  my 
countenance ;  a  bad  performance.  Again  I  reproach  myself  with 
exhibiting  that  odiosam  et  inutilem  morositatem,  against  which  I 
am  so  anxious  to  guard  myself,  in  the  instances  both  of  Mr.  F.'s 
proposed  election  to  the  Garrick  Club  and  of  the  performer's  in- 
correctness in  William  Tell.*     Could  I  sober  or  improve  the  latter? 

^  There  was  only  one  kind  of  religion  that  appealed  to  Macready :  the  practical  carrying 
out  of  Christ's  teaching.  With  mere  forms  and  ceremonies  he  had  no  sympathy,  while  the 
narrowness  and  intolerance  of  the  average  clergyman  of  that  day  aroused  his  bitter  indigna- 
tion. But  in  the  highest  sense  of  the  term  he  was  essentially  a  religious  man  ;  a  firm 
believer  in  the  divine  Spirit  of  Goodness,  endeavouring  his  utmost  to  lead  an  upright,  cleanly 
life,  and  ever  ready  to  sympathize  with  and  to  help  his  suffering  fellow-creatures.  Highly 
strung,  and  with  a  naturally  violent  temper,  he  was  occasionally  betrayed  into  language  and 
conduct  that  exposed  him  to  grave  misconstruction  and  caused  him  the  keenest  regret.  But 
his  fine  qualities  far  outweighed  his  faults,  and  in  scrupulous  rectitude  and  true  kindliness 
of  heart  he  was  surpassed  by  few  of  his  generation,  on  or  off  the  stage. 

'  The  play  had  been  revived  in  the  previous  October,  followed  by  a  VVaverley  Pageant, 
to  commemorate  Sir  Walter  Scott. 

'  In  reference,  presumably,  to  the  drama  submitted  to  the  Drury  Lane  managers 
(see  p.  6). 

*  By  James  Sheridan  Knowles  ;  first  produced  in  May  1825,  when  Macready  played  the 
name-part  and  Mrs.  Alfred  Bunn  («/s  Somerville)  that  of  Tell's  wife. 

7 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

Whom  but  myself  could  I  affect  by  such  moroseness  ?  Why  cannot  I 
act  upon  my  "  own  gained  knowledge  "  ?  In  the  other  case  both  person 
and  thing  were  equally  beneath  me ;  why  should  not  a  person  like 

Mr.  F belong  to  such  a  society  ?    Why  cannot  I  hold  my  peace  and 

stay  away  ?  Such  should  be  my  course ;  I  dread  the  effects  of  my  own 
intolerant  and  impetuous  temper.  God  be  my  friend,  for  I  am  too 
often  an  enemy  to  myself! 

January  25th. — In  discussing  the  propriety  of  Mr.  F.'s  admission 
to  the  Garrick  Club  this  morning  I  so  far  improved  upon  my  late 
violence  of  language  as  to  refrain  from  any  exhibition  of  temper  :  a 
very  negative  praise.  Quite  made  up  my  mind  to  leave  the  managers 
to  their  own  course  in  the  particular  of  their  pledge  to  me  on  the 
alternation  of  Othello  and  lago.^  Why  did  I  feel  excited  and  stung 
into  a  kind  of  nervous  alacrity  by  Kean's  ^  inability  to  act?  Our 
interests  in  this  profession  come  too  frequently  into  collision  to  ensure, 
without  steady  vigilance,  that  magnanimity  which  makes  the  peace  of 
conscience. 

January  ^StJi. — Found,  on  my  arrival  in  town,  the  play  of  Macbeth 
substituted  for  that  of  Othello.  In  reply  to  's  invitation  for  to- 
morrow, preferred  the  society  of  my  dear  family  to  an  evening  spent 
with  a  relation  who  is  humbled  in  his  pride  by  the  connection  of  a 
player,  which  I  must,  moreover,  have  purchased  at  the  expense  of  a 
whole  day  passed  in  London.  Acted  parts  of  Macbeth  well,  but  must 
be  careful  to  preserve  that  manly  natural  tone,  more  especially  in 
soliloquies. 

January   29th. — In   reading   Scott's  Life   of  Fielding,   I  fancy   I 

*  The  parts  were  to  have  been  alternated,  but  owing,  no  doubt,  to  opposition  from  Kean, 
the  stipulation  was  not  carried  out. 

•  Edmund  Kean  (1787-1833),  the  celebrated  actor,  now  on  the  verge  of  his  fatal  illness. 
He  died  a  few  weeks  later.  Macready  relates  the  circumstances  under  which  he  first  saw 
him  act  in  his  Reminiscences.  They  were  never  on  intimate  terms,  Macready  being  strongly 
repelled  by  Kean's  dissolute  habits,  though  he  fully  acknowledged  his  genius.  Oxberry's 
Dramatic  Biography  gives  the  following  account  of  Kean's  career  at  Drury  Lane  :  "Since 
Mr.  Kean's  first  appearance  at  Drury  Lane  Theatre  he  has  appeared  in  many  characters,  and 
though  he  has  not  in  every  instance  gratified  the  unreasonable  expectations  of  his  admirers, 
yet  he  has  always  displayed  considerable  originality  and  unequalled  talent.  In  portraying 
the  emotions  of  the  heart-sad  Romeo  and  the  whining  Jaffier  he  has  certainly  not  eclipsed  his 
contemporaries,  but  in  depicting  the  malignant  revenge  of  Shylock,  the  bold  villainy  of 
Overreach,  the  soul-subduing  agonies  of  the  noble  and  unsuspecting  Othello,  and  the  vast 
phalanx  of  evil  passions  that  swayed  the  daring,  desperate  and  crafty  Richard,  Mr.  Kean 
has  not  in  our  day  been  equalled,  and  perhaps  will  never  be  surpassed.  In  fact,  every 
character  which  he  has  sustained  has  elicited  some  bright  scintillation  of  his  matchless 
genius." 

8 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

perceive  a  restless  discontent  and  something  of  an  invidious  deprecia- 
tion of  the  dramatist's  powers  (when  he  makes  the  machinist  and 
scene-painter  the  sharers  of  his  triumphs)  in  his  estimate  of  the 
difficulties  of  the  novelist's  and  playwright's  tasks.  In  his  Essay  on  the 
Drama  the  same  writer,  unworthily  I  think,  endeavours  to  degrade  a 
walk  of  genius  which  he  could  never  reach,  and  affects  a  plea  of  disin- 
clination to  an  art  in  which  his  repeated  failures  betray  at  once  his 
ambition  and  his  incapacity  to  excel. ^ 

January  SOth. — Feel  my  mind  fettered  by  the  state  of  suspense  in 
which  it  is  held  in  regard  to  Othello.^  Must  give  my  attention  to  the 
performance  of  it. 

February  2nd. — The  bad  weather,  considerations  of  expense,  and 
uncertainty  of  what  was  to  be  done,  came  to  the  aid  of  my  inclination, 
and  kept  me  at  home  to-day.    My  principal  known  business  in  town  was 

to  oppose  Mr.  F at  the  Garrick  Club ;  ^  in  practising  Othello,  and 

acquiring  the  valuable  and  interesting  truths  in  my  perusal  of  Harris's 
Hermes f  which  I  have  done  to-day,  I  have  been  far  better  employed. 

February  4t/i. — On  my  arrival  in  town  I  found  the  theatre  closed 
for  this  night ;  the  pretext  is  the  preparation  for  the  opera  *  to-morrow. 
I  believe  it  a  piece  of  quackery  of  the  manager,  who  did  not  anticipate 
a  good  audience  to  Othello  this  evening.     The  sort  of  showman's  bill 

■*  Scott  himself  places  the  subject  in  quite  a  different  light,  in  a  note  on  a  passage  in 
B}rron's  Detached  Thoughts  relative  to  the  large  number  of  worthless  plays  submitted  to  the 
Drury  Lane  Committee.  Byron  had  applied  to  him  in  the  hope  that  he  might  write  a  play 
for  them  himself,  or  at  all  events  recommend  some  dramatist  of  promise.  In  commenting 
on  this  request,  Scott  says :  "  I  remember  declining  to  write  for  the  stage,  and  alleging  in 
excuse  not  only  the  probability  that  I  might  not  succeed,  but  the  unpleasant  yet  necessary 
and  inevitable  subjection  in  which  I  must  as  a  dramatic  writer  be  kept  by  the  '  good  folks 
of  the  green-room. ' "  This  statement  is  hardly  reconcilable  with  Macready's  allegation  of 
Scott's  "  repeated  failures  "  as  a  playwright. 

*  Since  November  1832  Macready  had  played  lago  to  Kean's  Othello ;  they  had  never 
played  together  previously.  Macready's  "  suspense  "  was  apparently  as  to  whether  he  would 
have  to  play  Othello  during  Kean's  illness  ;  Cooper,  however,  replaced  Kean  at  the  only 
performance  given  in  his  absence. 

*  Unsuccessfully  ;  Mr.  F was  elected.    Macready  was  never  very  happy  in  his  relations 

with  the  Club,  from  which  he  retired  after  a  few  years'  membership,  as  a  protest  against  the 
election  of  certain  intimate  associates  of  his  bete  iwire,  Mr.  Alfred  Bunn.  But  it  is  doubtful 
whether  in  the  Johnsonian  sense  he  was  "a  clubbable  man,"  at  all  events  to  the  extent  that 
would  have  rendered  the  Garrick  a  favourite  haunt.  There  was  a  touch  of  rigidity  about 
him  that  was  out  of  keeping  with  its  spirit  oi  camaraderie.  The  atmosphere  of  the  Athenaeum 
was  more  congenial,  though  his  appearances  there  were  by  no  means  frequent.  He  was, 
in  fact,  too  fond  of  his  home  to  care  much  for  Clubs. 

*  The  management  was  running,  as  an  additional  attraction,  a  German  Opera  Company, 
with  Schrodcr-Devrient  as  its  "  star." 


THE   DIARIES    OF   MACREADY  [1833 

put  forth  to-day  shocked  my  taste,  but  I  am  at  the  same  time  disposed 
to  ascribe  to  offended  vanity  a  small  portion  of  the  disgust  I  felt ;  I 
am  uncertain  on  the  point.  Assuredly  I  was  not  pleased  with  the  use 
of  my  name,  but  the  general  merits  of  the  bill  are  enough  to  decide 
one's  aversion  to  the  mountebank  who  issued  it,  without  having  recourse 
to  particulars. 

February  6th. — A  very  restless  night  incapacitated  me  from  the 
very  early  rising  I  had  resolved  on.  Part  of  it  I  used  in  separating 
passion  from  my  reflections  on  Mr.  Bunn's  ^  behaviour,  regarding  it 
Avith  total  indifference  and  determining  to  do  all  in  my  power  for  my 
family  by  perseverance  and  economy. 

February  Sth. — It  is  a  strange  weakness,  whether  imputable  to 
some  physical  cause,  or  to  an  insuperable  distrust  of  myself,  I  know 
not,  that  on  arriving  in  town  to  play  a  part  often  done  before,  as 
lago,  I  should  feel  a  trepidation  and  sudden  sinking  of  heart  as  I 
get  sight  of  the  bill  announcing  my  performance.^  But  it  is  so,  and, 
though  my  reason  soon  subdues  the  emotion,  I  go  to  the  theatre  with 
as  much  restlessness  and  more  uncertainty  than  many  untried  and  less 
favoured  actors  know.  To-night,  however,  it  did  not  affect  my  energy 
or  skill ;  perhaps  I  have  not  played  lago  with  more  entire  self- 
possession,  more  spirit,  and  in  a  more  manly  unembarrassed  tone. 

February  9th. — I  apprehend,  though  without  temper  or  uneasiness, 
more  baseness  on  the  part  of  Polhill  ^  and  Bunn.  The  latter  told  me 
to-day  that  my  Lent  did  not  begin  until  Ash  Wednesday.  He  is  an 
unprincipled  person.  I  saw  Knowles,  who  told  me  his  play  would 
soon  be  finished — so  will  the  season.  Why  am  not  I  one  of  those 
*' whose  heart  the  holy  forms  of  young  imagination  have  kept  pure  "? 
Alas  !  my  reason  is  too  often  my  reproach. 

^  Alfred  Bunn  (i  796-1 860),  manager  of  Drury  Lane  Theatre.  Supposed  to  be  the 
prototype  of  "  Mr.  Dolphin  "  in  Thackeray's  Pendennis.  Ridiculed  in  Punch  as  the  "  Poet 
Bunn,"  in  consequence  of  his  not  too  felicitous  ventures  in  verse.  A  vulgar  and  pretentious 
speculator  in  theatrical  enterprises  from  which,  oftener  than  not,  he  emerged  in  a  state  of 
insolvency  with  an  unpaid  salary-list.  Between  such  a  man  and  an  artist  of  Macready's  high 
quality  and  character  sharp  antagonism  was  inevitable.  It  culminated  in  an  unfortunate 
fracas,  which  is  fully  described  later  on.  In  these  days  such  mans^ers  as  Bunn  are  fortunately 
rare,  but  it  was  otherwise  in  the  Thirties. 

*  Macready  remained  liable  to  this  feeling  to  the  end  of  his  career,  even  when  on  tour 
in  small  provincial  towns. 

'  Captain  Polhill,  then  largely  interested  in  Drury  Lane  Theatre.  His  theatrical  ventures 
nvolved  him  in  enormous  losses.  He  afterwards  sat  for  some  time  in  Parliament.  He  is 
requently  bracketed  with  Bunn  by  Macready,  though  the  manager  was,  in  fact,  mainly 
responsible  for  the  "shiftiness"  complained  of. 

10 


1833]  THE   DIARIES    OF   MACREADY 

February  10th. — The  bad  weather  prevented  me  from  going  to 
morning  church.  Read  over  the  debates  of  the  last  week.  How  dis- 
gusting it  is  to  see  men  like  Macaulay/  possessing  a  knowledge  of 
truth,  and  gifted  with  the  power  of  diffusing  it  widely,  using  those 
means  of  virtue  in  the  base  cause  of  a  party  for  his  own  baser  interests  ; 
trading  in  sentiments  which  are  no  longer  held  forth  than  they  are 
marketable.  What  a  theatre  is  the  House  of  Commons ;  what  wretched 
actors  and  what  vile  parts  they  play !  Looking  from  my  window  over 
the  clear  landscape  before,  I  feel  how  far  beyond  the  vanities  and 
cares  of  a  town  life  are  the  pleasures  of  my  country  home.  Thank 
God! 

February  l^th. — Fixed  in  my  resolve  to  met  the  baseness  of  Messrs. 
Polhill  and  Bunn  with  the  most  perfect  indifference,  and  to  yield  the 
night  in  question.^  If  I  had  always  acted  with  so  much  foresight  how 
different  had  been  my  lot ! 

London,  February  IMJi. — A  very  busy  day  after  a  very  disturbed 
night.  My  spirits  became  depressed  after  taking  leave  and  losing  sight 
of  my  dear  wife  and  children,  but  the  active  employment  of  to-day,  at 
chambers  and  abroad,  has  dissipated  the  gloom  which  hung  upon  me. 
I  found  myself  announced  for  "the  ensuing  week  "  in  the  bills,  but 
Mr.  Bunn  said  it  "meant  nothing."     My  divinings  were  just!     In 

writing   to   W I  have  adhered   to   my   resolution    of   advancing 

nothing  without  security ;  I  am  right.  His  failings  are  not  mis- 
fortunes, or  I  would  distress  myself  (as  I  have  done)  to  relieve  him. 
I  have  practised  a  finesse  in  my  negotiation  for  Glasgow,  which  may 
possibly  lose  the  engagement ;  I  surely  ought  not  to  do  that  from  the 
want  of  money  which  I  would  not  otherwise  do.  The  highest  principle 
is  the  best  rule  of  conduct. 

February  15th. — Divided  between  settling  affairs,  calling  on 
persons,  and  packing.  So  much  fatigued  with  the  occupations  of 
yesterday,  that  I  lost  two  hours  in  bed  to-day.    Dr.  Lardner  proposed 

to  me  to  advance  with  him  £50  for  W ;  seemed  quite  agitated  when 

I  mentioned,  on  his  inquiring,  the  amount  with  which  I  had  furnished 
him.  I  agreed  to  his  proposals  only  on  conditions.  I  am  not  sure 
that    I    am    right   in    doing  so    much.      Saw  Mrs.    Watts    and    Mrs. 

*  Macaulay  was  at  this  time  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Control  and  a  member  of  the 
Whig  Government,  which  was  beginning  to  fall  into  discredit.  Though  a  thorough-going 
supporter  of  his  party,  he  had  certainly  no  "base  interests"  in  view.  But  Macready  was  a 
severe  and  not  always  a  just  critic  of  public  men. 

2  See  entry  for  February  9. 

II 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

Talfourd,^  and  received  a  note  from  Shell, ^  inquiring  my  address. 
This  is  different  from  his  conduct  last  year,  but  we  are  all  the  creatures 
of  circumstance  in  this  world,  and  are  only  happy  as  we  are  above 
pride  and  pretence. 

To  Exeter,  February  16th. — My  morning  was  cut  into  as  many 
portions  as  I  had  boxes,  bags,  notes,  messages  and  hundreds  of 
etceteras.  I  gave  too  much  to  the  porter  at  the  coach ;  this  is  a  very 
silly  fault,  and  a  wrong  to  any  poor  creature  that  may  need  one's 
charity.  There  was  nothing  remarkable  in  the  three  passengers  with 
whom  I  started ;  the  woman  was  very  vulgar,  which  was  not  her  fault — 
her  husband,  an  outside,  was  equally  so  and  rather  drunk,  but  redeem- 
ingly  civil.  I  passed  Edwardes  Place,  and  marked  the  house  where  I 
left  my  dearest  Catherine  nine  years  ago ;  never  shall  I  forget  my 
feelings  in  quitting  her.  I  looked  with  extreme  interest  too  at  the  Inn 
at  Hounslow  where  we  breakfasted  and  changed  our  clothes  on  the 
morning  of  our  marriage.  Few  have  more  cause  to  bless  that  important 
day  than  I. 

February  llth. — I  could  see  little  of  the  beautiful  country  through 
which  I  passed  to-day  for  the  mist.  Arrived  at  my  lodgings,  I  entered 
immediately  on  business. 

February  ISth. — Greaves  ^  called  as  I  was  on  the  point  of  going  out 
to  seek  him.  What  long  recollections  he  brings  to  me ;  he  was  what  I 
may  term  the  first  cordial  admirer  in  my  art  that  I  had ;  and  he  has 
been  as  unchanging  as  the  laurel  leaf.  I  acted  pretty  well  this  evening, 
but  in  the  dagger  scene  wanted  that  fresh  natural  manner,  so  real  and 
impressive  on  an  audience.    Thank  God,  was  not  angry  or  harsh. 

February  19th. — ^The  essay  I  read  yesterday  on  the  drama  and  its 
professors  will,  I  hope,  sustain  me  in  my  desire  of  upholding  in  myself 

'  Wife  of  Serjeant  Talfoard  ;  he  and  Macready  became  lifelong  friends  in  spite  of 
periodical  estrangements. 

2  Richard  Lalor  Shell  (1791-1851),  author  and  politician  ;  Repealer,  but  accepted  office 
from  the  Whig  Government,  1837  ;  was  Master  of  the  Mint,  1846-1850,  and  at  the  time  of 
his  death  British  Minister  at  Florence.  A  man  of  many  gifts,  but  his  transformation  from 
an  Irish  "patriot"  into  a  Whig  placeman  was  ignominious,  if  not  something  more.  He 
and  Macaulay  were  sworn  in  together  as  Privy  Councillors  in  1839,  an  event  which  the 
Times  recorded  in  the  following  passage:  "These  men  Privy  Councillors!  These  men 
petted  at  Windsor  Castle !  Faugh  !  Why,  they  are  hardly  fitted  to  fill  up  the  vacancies 
that  have  occurred  by  the  lamented  death  of  Her  Majesty's  two  favourite  monkeys  ! "  A 
day  or  two  later  appeared  the  even  grosser  attack  on  "Mr.  Babble-Tongue  Macaulay,"  for 
having  addressed  a  letter  to  his  constituents  from  Windsor  Castle.  But  at  that  period  Mr. 
Barnes  still  wielded  the  bludgeon  in  Printing  House  Square. 

^  A  retired  solicitor  ;  an  old  friend  of  Macready. 

12 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

and  for  my  dear  children  a  respectable  as  well  as  honourable  character ; 
but  an  actor  has  more  temptation  than  other  men.  I  can  scarcely  enter 
a  theatre  without  seeing  beauty  that  too  often  cares  not  to  conceal  a 
flattering  approval  of  one's  talent,  and  that  would  not  receive  with 
avidity  a  reciprocal  homage.  What  other  condition  in  life  brings  you 
into  personal  contact  with  beauty  under  such  dangerous  circumstances  ? 
It  is  my  fortune,  not  my  merit,  God  knows,  to  have  escaped  unscathed 
in  reputation. 

February  21st. — My  performance  of  lago  to-night  was  an  example 
of  what  I  wrote  this  morning.  There  was  a  want  of  sustained  earnest- 
ness and  spirit — there  was  no  proper  direction  of  the  sight,  and  in 
consequence  a  scowl  instead  of  clear  expression,  besides  a  want  of 
abstraction  in  the  soliloquies. 

Bristol,  February  23rd. — Forgot,  in  stepping  into  the  coach  for 
Bristol,  my  many  expostulations  with  myself  on  the  subject  of  temper, 
and  was  guilty  of  a  display  of  ill  humour  because  a  gentleman,  a 
Quaker,  claimed,  on  the  right  of  pre-occupation,  the  back  seats !  I 
notice  it  to  shame  and  condemn  my  absurdity  I  Last  night  I  heard  of 
Kean's  illness;  a  subject  which  has  little  interest  for  me,  since  his 
ability  to  play  or  not  will  make  no  difference  in  the  style  of  language — 
qy.  cant? — used  on  him  and  me. 

February  25th. — Felt  some  ill  effects  of  yesterday's  indulgence. 
In  the  Birmingham  coach  was  accosted  by  Graham  Clarke,  whom  I 
remember  a  handsome,  gay  young  man  in  Newcastle,  and  now  see  a 
portly  white-haired  "country  gentleman."  Another  of  "the  bench  " 
rode  ten  miles  with  us,  and  afforded  me  an  amusing  insight  into  the 
quality  of  mind  peculiar  to  this  species — county  magistrates.  Turn- 
pike roads,  covers,  poachers,  rents,  county  politics,  and  important 
county  persons,  never  heard  of  beyond  the  boundaries  of  the  shire, 
give  unwearied  exercise  to  their  tongues.  Such  men  are  not  without 
a  certain  interest  to  me  in  my  cogitations  on  mankind  and  his  purpose 
here.  Possessed  of  thousands  per  annum,  this  person  G.  C.  gave  a  ready, 
and  seemingly  an  habitualy  refusal  to  a  beggar's  request,  and  a  most 
imperious  "good  day  to  you  "  to  the  village  inn-keeper  on  the  road. 
Is  this  superiority  of  sense,  good  breeding,  or  charity  ? 

Liverpool,  February  S,6th. — I  had  intended  saving  the  price  of 
my  dinner  to-day,  but  the  rain  prevented  me  from  walking,  and 
I  felt  some  mal  a  propos  pinches  of  hunger.  Two  poor  creatures 
came  to  the  coach  door  to  beg,  one  an  Irishman  with  children  and 
no   work,  the  other  a  child  employed,  as   I   suspect.     Of  the  con- 

13 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

dition  of  the  Irish  there  can  be  little  doubt,  and  is  a  Christian  to  deny 
this  poor  fellow-creature?  Too  often  hypocrisy  assumes  the  mask  of 
religion ;  it  is  the  almost  universal  face  put  on  in  this  country  by  those 
who  call  themselves  Christians  to  hide  their  disgusting  selfishness  and 
indifference  to  the  privations  of  the  poor.  How  men,  with  the  divine, 
the  blessed  precepts  of  our  Saviour  in  their  hands,  can  so  blaspheme 
His  simple  religion  of  meekness,  love  and  charity  as  to  turn  from  the 
poor  beggar  and  show  reverence  to  the  rich  bishop,  I  cannot  conceive. 

Dublin,  February  28t/i. — On  my  arrival  this  morning  I  was  too 
confused  either  to  enjoy  the  beauty  of  the  harbour,  or  to  think  much 
upon  the  character  presented  to  a  stranger's  contemplation  in  the 
dilapidated,  tumbling  houses  and  cabins,  made  more  painfully  obvious 
by  the  rotting  verandas,  or  large  shattered  lamps  that  caricatured 
instead  of  decorating  them !  My  fellow-passengers  I  saw  little  of ; 
several  were  military  who  knew  me ;  one  claimed  acquaintance  with  me. 
The  captain  was  very  civil.  Calcraft  ^  sent  me  to  my  lodgings  a  letter 
from  Catherine — a  very  sweet  letter — and  one  from  Birch,  declining 
to  be  sponsor  to  my  boy.  I  strive  to  reason  myself  into  not  feeling 
this  as  a  disappointment,  but  the  consciousness  I  have  of  meaning  it 
only  as  the  highest  mark  of  respect  I  could  offer  makes  it  very  difficult. 
It  is  done,  thank  God  I 

March  1st. — Annoyed  and  displeased  with  Miss  H.'s  repetition  of 

the  impudent  falsehood,  circulated,   it   seems,   by   Miss   K ,    now 

Mrs.  F ,  of  having  received  serious  attentions  from  me.    It  is  not 

only  a  gross  falsehood,  but  one  unsupported  by  even  the  semblance 
of  foundation.     How  is  it  possible  to  guard  against  such  calumniators  ? 

March  2nd. — What  an  irascible  disposition  I  must  have  had,  when 
even  now  I  have  such  frequent  occasions  to  rebuke  my  waspish  impati- 
ence and  pettishness  at  the  various  trifles  that  happen  to  cross  my  mood 
as  I  sit  here  alone.  I  have  attended  rehearsal  to-day,  and  received 
calls  from  Sir  C.  Morgan  "*  (whom  I  previously  met  in  Calcraft's  room), 
Meldrum  and  Colonel  D'Aguilar.  Calcraft  gave  me  La  vie  de  Faublas, 
but  I  neither  wish  to  read  nor  retain  a  merely  indelicate  book ;  my  own 
thoughts  are  of  themselves  sufficiently  disposed  to  evil.  I  wished  and 
intended  to  have  played  well  this  evening,  but  I  was  crossed  by  circum- 

^  Lessee  of  the  Dublin  theatre.  His  real  name  was  Cole.  He  had  been  in  the  army, 
and  held  some  social  position  in  Dublin.  Subsequently  he  failed,  not  very  creditably, 
involving  Macready,  who  had  shown  him  much  forbearance,  in  considerable  loss. 

*  Sir  Thomas  Charles  Morgan  (1783- 1843),  physician  and  author  ;  his  wife  (formerly 
Sydney  Owenson)  was  the  well-known  novelist. 

14 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

stances  in  the  piece,  and  did  not  satisfy  myself,  although  the  audience 
called  for  me.  Since  my  return  from  the  theatre  I  have  read  the 
debate  on  the  Irish  Coercion  Bill,  particularly  Stanley's  ^  and 
O'Connell's  ^  speeches.  The  accounts  of  Irish  atrocities  are  most  dis- 
gusting and  appalling  ;  but  where  are  efforts  to  prevent  and  ameliorate  ? 
The  inequality  of  society  arising  from  unequal  laws  is  a  human 
grievance,  and  ought  to  be  corrected. 

March  2rd. — I  am  forty  years  of  age  !  Need  I  add  one  word  to 
the  solemn  reproof  conveyed  in  these,  when  I  reflect  on  what  I  am, 
and  what  I  have  done  ?  What  has  my  life  been  ?  a  betrayal  of  a  great 
trust,  an  abuse  of  great  abilities !  This  morning,  as  I  began  to  dress, 
I  almost  started  when  it  occurred  to  me  that  it  was  my  birthday. 

Last  night  I  began  reading  parts  of  Fauhlas,  and,  as  is  my  custom 
with  novels,  sat  up  late  and  continued  it  in  bed  until  half-past  five  this 
morning.  I  rose  late,  and  was  shocTced  and  ashamed  to  think  that  I 
had  wasted,  or  rather  misused,  so  much  precious  time  over  such 
immoral,  irrational  and  debasing  stuff. 

March  Mh. — In  my  walk  to-day  with  Calcraft  I  looked  into  the 
Adelphi  theatre,  and  was  introduced  to  Sir  J.  Kingsmill  and  several  of 
the  officers  there.  After  dinner  to-day  I  received  a  letter  from  my 
Catherine.  I  cannot  call  it  unkind,  because  it  was  not  intended  to 
be  so,  but  since  she  has  been  my  wife  I  do  not  remember  any  pain  or 
distress  of  heart  to  compare  with  the  dead  pressure  of  misery  that  she 
has  laid  upon  my  mind  by  that  beautifully  written  letter.  I  cannot 
lift  up  my  heart — I  am  unhappy — wretchedly  unhappy ;  and  shall  not 
regain  the  quiet  of  my  soul  until  I  see  her  once  again.  I  went  to  act 
Rob  Roy  before  the  Lord  Lieutenant  ^  in  a  very  dejected  state.  The 
rabble  tried  to  find  applications  in  every  speech  to  existing  circum- 
stances, but  the  house  was  decorous. 

March  5th. — I  rose  earlier  to  attend  rehearsal ;  the  low  spirits  of 
yesterday  still  were  upon  me.  Have  determined  on  reconsidering  that 
distressing  letter,  and  answering  it.     Wrote  to  Gaspey  *  a  hasty  and 

'  Afterwards  fourteenth  Earl  of  Derby  (1799-1869) ;  twice  Conservative  Prime  Minister. 
In  1833  he  was  Irish  Secretary  in  Lord  Grey's  Administration.     Left  the  Whig  Party  in 

1835. 

'  Daniel  O'Connell  (1775-1847),  the  Liberator. 

'  Henry  William,  first  Marquis  of  Anglesey,  K.G.  ;  soldier  and  politician  ;  distinguished 
in  the  Peninsula  and  at  Waterloo  ;  "  pro-Catholic  "  Viceroy  in  1828  ;  recalled  by  the  Duke 
of  Wellington  in  1829  ;  reappointed  by  Lord  Grey  in  1830;  resigned  in  September  1833, 
and  was  succeeded  by  the  Marquis  Wellesley. 

*  Editor  of  the  Sunday  Times. 

15 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

brief  account  of  last  night ;  received  and  answered  a  very  kind  invitation 
from  Mr.  Colles,  to  whom  I  had  shown  some  civility  in  London. 

Acted  Macbeth  with  spirit,  earnestness,  and  self-possession ;  carried 
into  effect  the  corrections  I  had  thought  of  in  the  morning ;  was 
obliged  to  appear  before  the  audience  after  the  play.  To  what  end 
is  thought  or  care,  when  next  morning  we  read  notices  of  our  labours 
by  the  ignorant  and  incompetent  ? 

March  6th. — Deliberated  for  some  time  on  a  very  polite  invitation 
to  dinner  this  day  from  Sir  Hussey  Vivian  ^ ;  reflected  that  I  must 
relinquish  altogether,  or  imperfectly  complete  my  letter  of  advice  and 
consolation  to  my  beloved  wife ;  and  also  distress  myself  in  the  accumula- 
tion of  business  that  must  result  from  this  indulgence  of  my  inclination 
and  curiosity.  The  proper  study  of  mankind  is  man  I  and  I  like  to 
contemplate  him  under  his  various  phases.  But  I  concluded,  against 
the  pressing  entreaties  of  Calcraft,  to  remain  at  home.  I  neglected 
my  calls  to-day,  but  after  a  long  walk  wrote  to  my  Catherine,  and 
afterwards  gave  a  reading  which  was  much  wanted  to  the  Merchant 
of  London.^     I  was  right  in  remaining  to  attend  to  my  duties. 

Perceive  that  much  improvement  is  to  be  obtained  by  attention  at 
rehearsals ;  and  in  my  profession,  as  in  my  observation  of  Catherine's 
progress,  discern  the  meaning,  and  admit  the  truth,  of  the  meta- 
physician who  defines  genius  to  be  patience. 

March  1th. — My  morning  was  spent  in  rehearsal  and  calls.  I  was 
right  in  desiring  the  repetition  of  the  scenes  at  rehearsal,  though  by 
no  means  justified  in  betraying  anger  at  the  imbecility  of  the  prompter. 
How  much  is  to  be  gained  at  rehearsals !  I  saw  an  old  gentleman  in 
the  shop  (who,  Milliken  told  me,  was  Jno.  Crampton)  that  had  lost 
.£10,000  in  the  theatre,  and  now  called  every  day  to  read  theological 

lectures  to  Mrs.  M !    I  saw  him  in  1815,  a  very  fine,  dashing  man, 

with  whom  I  made  my  first  Dublin  engagement.  Being  annoyed  by 
some  trifles  in  the  early  scenes  of  the  play  to-night,  I  was  deficient  in 
freshness  and  intensity  of  feeling,  but  I  came  out  a  different  person  in 
the  third  act,  and  maintained  my  power  over  the  audience  till  I  made 
my  bow  of  acknowledgment  after  the  play.    I  have  not  been  idle  to-day, 

*  Sir  Richard  Hussey  Vivian  (1775-1842) ;  afterwards  first  Lord  Vivian.  A  distinguished 
general  officer,  who  in  1833  was  commander  of  the  forces  in  Ireland.  Master-General  of  the 
Ordnance  in  1835. 

*  A  play  by  T.  J.  Serle,  in  which  Macready  took  the  part  of  Scroope  ;  it  was  produced 
at  Drury  Lane  in  the  preceding  year,  but  failed  to  attract,  though  well  received  on  the  first 
night. 

16 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

but  am  checked  in  my  desire  of  employment  by  the  feeling  of 
fatigue. 

To  Manchester,  March  10th. — After  completing  my  arrangements, 
leaving  cards  for  Mrs.  Hemans  ^  and  Mr.  CoUes,  I  set  off  in  a  carriage 
with  Mr.  Calcraft  and  Miss  Huddart  ^  to  Kingstown.  We  dined  at 
the  Royal  Hotel.  How  disenchanting  in  the  female  character  is  a 
manifestation  of  relish  for  the  pleasures  of  the  table ! 

Manchester,  March  11th. — We  landed  after  ten  o'clock,  and  with 
some  trouble  got  our  luggage  to  the  railway  station,  whence  after 
waiting  half  an  hour  we  rushed  along  to  Manchester.     I  placed  Miss 

H in  a  coach  with  her  luggage,  and  saw  her  off,  as  I  took  my  own 

course  to  my  lodgings.  With  a  handsome  person,  a  good  heart,  and 
a  fair  average  of  understanding,  she  wants  the  charm  of  her  sex, 
gentleness  in  manner,  tact  and  delicacy.  She  gains  respect  for  her 
good  qualities,  but  neither  admiration  nor  affection  for  the  graces  so 
fascinating  in  woman.  I  tried  to  play,  but  effort  must  have  been 
too  perceptible  throughout  the  performance.  The  company  is  very 
indifferent — '*  two  of  the  eleven  "  in  a  state  of  intoxication. 

March  12th. — On  returning  home  I  sat  down  to  read  over  Othello ; 
the  idea  of  which  even  here  gave  me  a  sensation  of  nervousness.  I  am 
inclined  to  reproach  myself  for  my  precipitation  in  declining  the 
reduced  terms  offered  me  at  Bath  and  Newcastle ;  perhaps,  however, 
I  was  not  wrong. 

March  ISth. — Have  given  up  the  entire  day  to  the  rehearsal,  con- 
sideration, and  preparation  of  Othello.  The  lago  of  Cooper  ^  was  a 
very  bad  performance,  neither  distinctness  of  outline  nor  truth  of 
colour.  Of  my  own  Othello  I  am  inclined  to  speak  in  qualified  terms. 
There  was  not  exactly  a  lack  of  spirit  in  the  early  scenes,  but  a  fresh- 
ness and  freedom  in  its  flow  must  have  been  manifest.  I  was  nervous, 
and  under  that  oppression  effort  will  show  itself.  The  audience,  as 
cold  as  the  snow  that  was  falling  at  the  beginning,  waxed  warmer 
and  warmer,  and  actually  kindled  into  enthusiasm  at  the  burst  in  the 
third  act,  which  was  good,  but  the  part  still  requires  much  study. 

'  Presumably  Felicia  Dorothea  Hemans  (1793- 1835),  t^^  well-known  poetess. 

*  Mary  Amelia  Huddart,  afterwards  Mrs.  Warner  (1804- 1854),  an  accomplished  and 
popular  actress,  professionally  associated  with  Macready  for  many  years.  She  was  strongly 
attracted  by  him  and  he  had  a  true  regard  for  her,  which  he  proved  by  constant  acts  of 
generous  friendship  to  the  close  of  her  life. 

'  John  Cooper  (1790- 1870),  an  actor  of  some  vogue,  first  in  the  provinces  and  afterwards 
in  London.     He  made  his  first  appearance  in  18 10. 

VOL.   I.  C  17 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

The  address  to  the  Senate,  the  arrival  at  Cyprus,  the  second  scene  of 
the  fourth  act  and  the  last  act  demand  all  my  care  and  energy.  The 
house  was  very  thin,  and  I  am  yet  irresolute  as  to  my  further  course. 

March  16th. — "It  is  in  ourselves  that  we  are  thus  or  thus."  The 
unhealthy  condition  of  my  mind,  with  which  my  body  too  closely 
sympathizes,  is  a  comment  on  this  text  which  I  vainly  strive  to  gainsay. 
I  read  nothing ;  I  rise  at  the  very  latest  moment,  and  have  barely  time 
through  the  day  for  the  business  demanded.  I  have  cold  on  me,  and 
my  lodgings  are  uncomfortable ;  but  still  I  ought  to  put  myself  above 
the  influence  of  such  petty  matters.  I  should  do  so,  were  it  not  that 
I  have  suffered  my  mind  to  become  the  prey  of  unwholesome  and 
enervating  thoughts,  that  chng  like  disease  about  it,  and  which  act  in 
reciprocal  support  with  my  physical  maladies.  I  have  dispatched  a 
large  sum  to  my  bankers  to-day,  for  which  I  thank  God.  In  the  play 
I  acted  lago  pretty  well,  but  was  certainly  disconcerted,  if  not  annoyed, 
by  the  share  of  applause  bestowed  on  Mr.  Cooper.  What  little  beings 
does  selfishness  make  us !  Where  there  is  little  time  to  think,  how 
liable  I  am  to  fall  into  those  vices  and  littlenesses  which  none  more 
loudly  condemn.  In  the  farce  I  was  mangled  by  the  shameful  idleness 
of  the  actors. 

March  18th. — Read  in  last  week's  debate  the  Bishop  of  London's  ^ 
vindication  of  the  wealth  of  the  clergy !  Appeared  before  a  wretched 
assemblage  of  devoted  playgoers  in  the  part  of  Virginius,  which  neither 
my  health,  spirits,  nor  interest  could  encourage  me  to  act.  I  made  some 
saving  hits  in  passages,  and  tried  experiments  through  it.  Perceive  that 
I  have  acted  injudiciously,  as  respects  profit,  in  not  preferring  Glasgow, 
but  I  feel  that  I  must  humiliate  myself  by  going  to  that  theatre. 

March  19th. — For  my  health's  sake  took  a  walk  of  about  three  miles 
up  and  down  Oxford  Road.  Thought  on  many  things,  my  father's 
inconsiderate  speculation  here  and  consequent  ruin — its  effect  on  my 
destiny — the  mystery  of  human  nature ;  and  the  sweet  musings  on 
my  darling  children,  on  seeing  a  little  girl  about  the  age  and  form  of 
dear  Nina,  came  like  delight  upon  my  spirit.  Read  many  pages  of 
Racine's  History  of  Port  Royal.  What  fools  and  villains  are  the 
bishops,  priests  and  particularly  the  Jesuits,  of  whom  he  speaks.     My 

*  Charles  James  Blomfield  {1786-1857).  A  vigorous  champion  of  the  privileges  of  his 
order,  thereby  incurring  the  trenchant  denunciation  of  William  Cobbett,  whose  views  on  the 
Church  in  general,  and  the  bench  of  bishops  in  particular,  were  largely  shared  by  Macready. 
Blomfield,  however,  was  not  of  the  perfunctory  class  of  prelates,  and  did  good  work  in  his 
diocese,  especially  in  the  direction  of  church  extension. 

18 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

acting  in  Tell  to-night  was  bad,  but  had  the  excuse  of  bad  health  and 
audience.     I  wish  I  could  offer  any  excuse  for  my  ill  temper. 

March  20th. — Acted  Werner  with  unusual  force,  truth  and  col- 
lectedness ;  finished  oft'  each  burst  of  passion,  and  in  consequence 
entered  on  the  following  emotion  with  clearness  and  earnestness ;  the 
house  was  miserable.  Came  home  and  read  the  newspaper,  until  I 
became  uncomfortable  from  the  disgust  I  felt  at  the  conduct  of  such 
men  as  Althorp,^  Stanley,^  Hobhouse,^  in  fact  the  base-minded  clique 
of  apostates  that  make  up  the  present  Ministry. 

March  21st. — I  have  done  nothing  else  to-day  beyond  rehearsing, 
taking  a  very  short  walk,  and  reading  part  of  Oakley,*  preparatory  to 
my  performance  of  it,  which  merits  little  commendation.  It  is  a 
character,  as  being  very  easy,  that  I  ought  to  play  well ;  and  merit 
censure  for  not  doing  it  better  than  well.  My  opinion  of  Ministers 
does  not  improve.  Who  shall  throw  a  stone  at  the  guilty  in  this 
world  ?  Yet  political  vice  seems  so  poor  in  its  gain,  and  so  wide  in  its 
mischief,  that  the  worst  seem  entitled  to  judgment. 

March  22nd. — Went  to  rehearsal  after  a  breakfast  without  appetite, 
where  I  was  kept  so  long  that  I  deferred  till  to-morrow  my  search  for  a 
surgeon.  Oh  !  that  to-morrow  !  that  trap  of  fools,  that  cheat  of  idle- 
ness I  When  shall  I  learn  to  establish  a  principle  of  acting  upon  the 
demand  that  duty  makes  upon  me  ?  Read  over  Wolsey  for  to-morrow 
evening,  and  looked  at  my  accounts,  which,  thank  God,  are  more  satis- 
factory than  they  have  lately  been.  Read  over  again  my  Catherine's 
last  letter,  and  let  my  thoughts  loose  on  their  ramble  home.  Read 
the  part  of  Scroope,  and  acted  it  effectively,  but  not  with  the  truth, 
reality  and  taste  that  would  satisfy  my  own  judgment.     Acted  the 

^  Viscount  Althorp,  afterwards  Earl  Spencer  (1782-1845),  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer 
and  leader  of  the  House  of  Commons  in  Lord  Grey's  Administration  ;  a  statesman  of  abso- 
lute consistency  and  rectitude,  in  no  way  deserving  this  stigma  of  Macready,  who  was  too 
prone,  particularly  in  political  matters,  to  pass  ill-considered  judgments.  On  Lord  Grey's 
retirement  Lord  Althorp's  position  remained  unchanged,  but  on  succeeding  to  his  father's 
earldom  he  necessarily  resigned  both  the  Chancellorship  of  the  Exchequer  and  the  Leader- 
ship of  the  House,  a  circumstance  that  was  seized  upon  by  William  IV  as  a  pretext  for 
dismissing  the  Melbourne  Ministry,  the  King  insisting  that  there  was  no  one  in  the  Govern- 
ment capable  of  replacing  Althorp  as  Leader  of  the  House.  There  has  been  no  juster 
appreciation  of  Lord  Althorp  than  that  of  Macaulay,  who  described  him  as  possessing  "  the 
principles  of  Romilly,  with  the  temper  of  Lord  North." 

*  See  note,  p.  15. 

*  Sir  John  Hobhouse,  Bart.,  afterwards  Lord  Broughton  (1786-1869).  Best  known  as 
Byron's  intimate  friend  ;  at  this  time  Irish  Secretary  ;  earlier  in  his  career  he  advocated 
extreme  Radical  principles,  and  accordingly  gave  some  colour  to  Macready's  appellation. 

*  In  TAe  Jealous   Wife,  the  most  popular  of  Macready's  comedy  parts. 

C  2  j^ 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

scene  of  J.  Surface  middlingly.  The  house  was  much  better  for  the 
bill;,  and  I  am  glad  to  have  rendered  Miss  Huddart  such  a  service.  The 
play  excited  so  much  interest  that  Mr.  Cooper  was  recommended  to 
take  it  to-morrow  night,  but  he  preferred  playing  Henry  VIII,  which 
I  do  not  envy  him. 

March  23rd. — I  was  wrong  in  suggesting  Henry  VIII  for  to-night, 
as  I  am  not  at  home  in  Wolsey ;  after  the  rehearsal  (during  which 
Mr.  Clarke  paid  me,  and  deducted  the  price  of  a  pint  of  claret  he 

had  sent  me — a  silly  economy)  I  called  on  Miss  H and  gave  her  some 

advice,  for  which  I  commend  myself.  My  afternoon  was  passed  in 
reading  Wolsey  (which  I  acted  in  a  style  not  worthy  of  my  reputation, 
though  with  effect)  and  getting  calico,  muslin,  etc.,  and  packing  it  for 
home.  My  landlady  has  given  me  the  third  dose  to-day  of  "Tom 
and  Jane  " — an  exercise  of  patience.  Spoke  to  Mr.  Cooper,  in  taking 
leave  of  him,  on  the  state  of  the  theatres ;  am  hopeless  of  any  good 
result  from  any  combination  of  actors.  This  night  finishes  my 
Manchester  engagement,  and  sets  me  free  from  a  temptation,  and 
my  mind  from  a  struggle,  that  has  lost  it  much  valuable  time 
and  cost  me  much  self-reproach.  I  have  no  other  person  than  myself 
to  accuse. 

March  24t7i.  Read  in  the  newspapers  the  announcement  of  Kean 
and  son  ^  in  Othello ;  it  is  mere  quackery.  Wrote  sundry  letters  on 
business.  Feel  in  good  spirits,  and  should  be  well,  were  I  relieved 
from  this  disorder.     I  am  grown  much  thinner. 

March  25th. — After  dinner  I  read,  for  idleness  and  digestion's  sake, 
that  offensive  paper,  the  Age.^  Went  to  the  theatre  to  see  VictorinCj 
which  increased  the  previous  depression  of  my  spirits.  How  very 
painful  is  the  contemplation  of  a  woman  who  has  yielded  up  her  virtue, 
and  how  miserable  does  the  reflection  on  the  brutal  character  of  vice 
among  the  low  thieves  of  a  metropolis  make  the  mind.     It  is  hopeless 

^  Edmund  Kean  and  his  son  Charles.  Macready's  admiration  of  the  father  as  an  actor 
did  not  extend  to  the  son,  whom  he  throughout  regarded  with  exaggerated  contempt. 
Though  only  a  mediocre  actor,  Charles  Kean  certainly  deserved  a  higher  place  in  the 
profession  than  Macready  chose  to  accord  him.  His  name  is  of  frequent  occurrence  in  the 
Diaries,  and  seldom  without  the  accompaniment  of  some  strongly  disparaging  remarks. 

'  Probably  the  most  scurrilous  newspaper  of  the  day,  though  the  Satirist  and  John  Bull 
ran  it  very  hard.  It  was  edited  by  one  Westmacott,  and  was  constantly  the  subject  of  pro- 
ceedings for  libel.  The  Duke  of  Wellington  was  among  its  many  eminent  victims,  and  it 
did  not  even  spare  the  punctiliously  decorous  Fanny  Kemble,  who  was,  however,  promptly 
avenged  by  a  public  horsewhipping  administered  to  Westmacott  by  her  father  (Charles 
Kemble). 

20 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

depravity.  What  are  we  here  for?  I  was  perhaps  additionally  moved 
by  sitting  in  the  box  I  used  when  a  boy,  before  my  prospects  changed, 
seeing  the  very  drop  scene  that  my  father  placed  there  twenty-five 
years  ago.     Much  of  the  past  came  back  upon  me. 

March  9,6th. — Walked  up  (calling  on  Miss  H )  to  Ardwick  Green, 

where  I  saw  the  house  in  which  I  lived,  and  cited  up  a  thousand  heavy 
times  that  at  that  miserable  period  had  befallen  me.  Much  to  deplore, 
much  to  condemn.  Returning  to  dinner  I  called  at  Mr.  Clark's  for  the 
newspaper ;  the  principal  communications  in  which  are,  I  think,  the 
domestic  occurrences  of  those  little  people  who  in  their  own  eyes  are 
great,  such  as  dinners,  dances,  marriages  and  such  trashery,  as  if  the 
perpetuation  of  a  race  like  our  aristocrats  were  of  the  slightest  moment.^ 
The  only  importance  in  life  is  virtue,  its  exercise  is  the  only  honour, 
and  love  is  the  only  happiness.  Read  some  very  good  passages  in 
Cowper's  Task.    He  was  clearly  a  republican  in  principle. 

March  9,1  th. — ^The  Herald  report  of  the  quacking  exhibition  of 
Kean  and  his  son  is  equal  in  style,  judgment  and  impartiality.  And 
these  are  the  conoscenti  and  critics  of  our  art !  Heaven  help  me !  for 
I  have  little  chance  here. 

Carlisle^  March  9,dth. — Woke  before  my  appointed  hour,  but  rose 
refreshed,  and  with  a  sensation  of  relief  in  quitting  Manchester.  My 
journey  offered  me  little  to  remark  upon ;  the  sort  of  early  loiterers 
in  a  manufacturing  town  made  their  wonted  appearance  about  the 
coach,  to  make  one  question  again  the  general  influence  of  civilization. 
Lancaster  Castle,  from  its  soil,  its  present  appropriation,  and  as  having 
been  the  place  of  my  poor  father's  confinement,  arrested  my  attention, 
as  did  Garstang  Castle  from  not  having  before  noticed  it,  and  Kendal 
Castle  from  its  beautiful  situation.  I  looked  at  a  play  bill  on  the  wails 
at  Lancaster ;  is  it  surprising  that  any  one  of  common  capacity  should 
shrink  from   such   a   waste  of   time?      A   very   heavy   snowstorm   on 

^  Macready  was  an  uncompromising  democrat,  holding  the  monarchy  in  scant  reverence, 
and  attacking  the  aristocracy  with  persistent  rancour.  His  attitude  was,  no  doubt,  in  some 
measure  attributable  to  his  extreme  sensitiveness  regarding  his  social  status.  In  those  days 
knighthoods  and  other  forms  of  royal  recognition  were  hopelessly  beyond  the  reach  of  the 
dramatic  profession.  Though  occasionally  "  commanded"  by  the  Sovereign  and  patronized 
by  a  great  nobleman,  an  actor,  however  eminent,  was  seldom  allowed  to  escape  the  con- 
sciousness that  he  was  "  outside  the  pale,"  an  individual  who,  if  by  a  fitful  condescension 
addressed  as  "  esquire,"  was  in  reality  still  under  the  ban  of  the  unceremonious  statute  that 
defined  him  as  "a  rogue  and  vagabond."  To  a  man  of  culture  and  refinement  like 
Macready,  this  was  inexpressibly  galling  and  remained  a  rankling  influence  to  the  end  of 
his  life. 

21 


THE   DIARIES    OF   MACREADY  [1833 

Shap  Fells  made  that  wild  country  more  desolate  and  dreary  than 
usual ;  I  love  the  heath  and  the  free  breezes  of  the  hills. 

Passed  by  the  theatre  at  Carlisle  which  my  father  built,  in 
seeking  my  letters ;  thought  of  many  days,  acts  and  feelings  for  ever 
gone. 

Edinburgh y  March  SOth. — A  striking  instance  of  the  dangerous 
effects  of  precipitation  showed  itself  to-day.  A  month  ago  I  could 
not  reason  down  the  annoyance  of  wounded  pride,  arising  from  B.'s 
refusal  to  be  my  boy's  godfather ;  this  morning  I  took  up  his  letter 
to  answer  it,  and  it  seems  to  me  most  proper  and  affectionate.  Pride 
and  passion !  where  would  ye  have  led  me  ?  Thank  God !  I  have 
replied  to  it  as  I  ought.  My  day  has  been  an  idle  one,  I  have  read 
some  pages  of  Tasso,  the  combats  between  Ottone,  Argante  and 
Tancredi ;  some  part  of  Terence's  Heautontimorumenos ;  the  excel- 
lent scene  of  Chremes  rebuking  Clitipho,  and  Syrus  sending  him  away ; 
two  essays  of  Bacon  on  custom  and  nature ;  and  Shakspeare's  exquisite 
scenes  between  Angelo  and  Isabel.  I  walked  upon  the  Calton  Hill, 
after  posting  my  letters.  Disliking  this  city  as  much  as  I  can  suffer 
myself  to  dislike  any  place,  I  cannot  be  blind  to  its  extraordinarily 
grand  and  beautiful  appearance ;  it  is  more  like  a  metropolis  in  the 
coup  d'oeil  it  offers  than  any  British  city.  But  I  have  been  ill,  and 
always  disregarded  here,  and  I  am  not  patient  of  the  unauthorized 
pretension  of  its  inhabitants. 

April  1st. — Rehearsal,  and  the  business  of  preparing  clothes,  etc., 
occupied  the  day  until  the  play  hour.  I  think  I  acted  Macbeth  in  a 
manner  that  would  have  gained  me  fame  before  any  but  an  Edinburgh 
audience,  which  I  look  upon  as  one  so  like  the  vile  pretender  to  superior 
wisdom  described  by  Gratiano  that  I  should  as  soon  expect  the  stand- 
ing pool  to  rise  in  waves,  or  become  clear  enough  to  reflect  the  images 
near  it,  as  to  observe  one  genuine  display  of  sympathy  from  them. 
They  seem  to  me  grave  coxcombs,  presuming  on  the  merit  of  individuals 
who  have  been  born  or  lived  among  them  to  consider  themselves  as 
participating  in  their  characters.     I  almost  quite  satisfied  myself. 

April  2nd. — Acted  but  in  a  mediocre  style,  my  state  of  body 
having  its  influence,  and  deranged  and  cut  up  by  the  odd  sort  of 
Othello  beside  me ;  indeed  I  may  say  frequently  disconcerted,  several 
times  annoyed,  and  once  or  twice  irritated.  Some  of  this  person's 
eccentricities  were,  I  think,  intentional.  He  had  his  admirers,  who 
were  very  liberal  of  their  applause  to  him,  nor  is  he  devoid  of  talent ; 
but  I  think  it  disfigured  by  imitation  and  affectation,  and  not  of  a  very 
22 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

high  class.  Saw  Allan  ^  during  the  play,  much  older,  but  his  mind 
seems  still  alive  to  its  earlier  delights. 

April  2rd. — Still  with  a  heavy  sense  of  fatigue  on  me,  which  is 
aggravated  by  the  distaste  I  have  for  my  work  here.  I  dislike  the 
audience,  and  their  wretched  attendance  leaves  me  no  room  to  question 
any  further  their  opinion  of  me.  I  must  draw  a  scratch  across  the 
place.  Mrs.  W.  Siddons  called  with  a  kind  note  of  acknowledgment 
and  invitation  from  Mrs.  H.  Siddons  ^  which  I  answered,  declining. 
I  have  only  one  feeling  here,  which  I  have  never  been  in  Edinburgh 
without :  a  desire  to  get  out  of  the  place. 

Wrote  to  dearest  Catherine.  Received  letter  from  her ;  and  one 
from  Mr.  Farren  ^  asking  me  to  play  Puff  for  his  benefit ! !  Acted 
well.  I  perceive  by  my  observation  of  last  night  that  the  great  defect 
of  my  style  is  hurry  and  want  of  clear  discrimination,  I  mean  discrimina- 
tion, not  in  one's  own  mind,  but  made  palpable  to  and  impressed  on 
an  audience.  Let  me  not  lose  sight  of  this !  !  !  Particularly  noted  the 
superior  effect,  as  well  as  the  diminution  of  labour,  in  the  marked 
discrimination  with  which  I  acted  Virginius  this  evening,  though 
unprepared  and  at  first  careless  of  my  performance.  This  resulted 
from  thinking  on  the  too  artificial  style  of  the  young  gentleman  who 
played  Othello  last  night,  and  contrasting  his  and  Kean's  methods, 
though  they  are  patches  from  one  piece,  with  my  own.  I  see  how 
much  of  my  conception  I  lose  by  precipitancy :  it  does  not  extract  one 
spark  of  fire  the  less,  but  tempers  energy  so  "  as  to  give  it  smoothness." 
I  hope  I  may  now  exclaim,  cSpr^Ka.  To  notice  one  among  many 
instances  of  natural  and  powerful  effect,  I  may  record  the  embracing 

1  Sir  William  Allan  ( 1 782-1850),  R.A.,  London,  and  P.R.S.A.,  Edinburgh;  originally 
a  coachmaker's  apprentice  ;  first  became  known  as  a  painter  of  Russian  life  and  scenery. 

*  Mrs.  Harriet  Siddons  (1783-1844),  widow  of  Henry  Siddons,  formerly  manager  of  the 
Edinburgh  theatre,  and  daughter-in-law  of  Sarah  Siddons.  An  actress  of  some  repute  in 
Shaksperian  parts.  Her  father,  Charles  Murray,  a  well-known  actor  in  his  day,  was  the 
son  of  Sir  John  Murray,  Bart. ,  of  Broughton,  Prince  Charles  Edward's  secretary  in  1 745. 

'  William  Farren  (i 786-1 861),  actor  and  manager;  chiefly  impersonated  old  men,  his 
Sir  Peter  Teazle  being  particularly  successful ;  he  was  the  father  of  the  late  William  Farren, 
who  also  excelled  in  Sir  Peter.  In  private  life  he  was,  unfortunately,  more  identified  with 
Joseph  Surface,  having  allured  a  Mrs.  Faucit,  the  wife  of  a  brother-actor,  from  her  marital 
allegiance.  The  dispossessed  husband  was  apparently  indisposed  to  console  himself  with 
his  children,  who  followed  their  mother,  thus  acquiring  a  sort  of  "left-handed  "  step-father 
in  the  person  of  Mr.  Farren.  It  was  from  this  inauspicious  manage  that  Helen  Faucit 
entered  upon  her  distinguished  career.  These  particulars  will  explain  her  connection  with 
William  Farren,  who,  it  will  be  seen,  represented  her  interests  in  her  first  engagement  with 
Macready. 

23 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1883 

and  rebuking  Virginia,  and  committing  her  to  Icilius  just  before 
hurrying  away  to  the  field,  which  I  never  did  so  well.  Spoke  very 
kindly  to  Mr.  Ternan,  last  night's  Othello,  on  some  bad  habits, 
and  on  his  merits.  Saw  the  announcement  of  Macbeth  for  Tuesday 
next! 

April  4t/i. — Read  a  criticism  in  a  newspaper  which  intends  to  be 
discerning,  but  which  is  a  mere  cold  admission  of  power  in  myself, 
appended  to  the  ordinary  exceptions  that  the  ferocity  of  the  London 
Press  used  with  so  much  bitterness  to  take  against  me ;  written  by  a 
person  who  evidently  is  ignorant  of  the  characters  he  presumes  to 
write  on !  Called  on  Allan,  and  saw  his  Orphan  on  the  easel,  his 
sketches  of  the  rooms,  etc.,  at  Abbotsford,  and  the  study  of  his  picture 
of  Rizzio's  murder.  He  is  a  very  interesting  man  ;  he  promises  to  come 
and  see  me  on  his  arrival  in  London.  Called  on  Mrs.  Spence  and 
chatted.  Received  two  petitions,  but  I  unlearn  my  own  precepts  of 
generosity  here.  Answered  Mr.  Farren's  letter,  declining  to  act  Puff. 
Played  the  Stranger  pretty  well,  but  had  particular  evidence  of  the 
comparatively  phlegmatic  temper  of  this  audience  in  the  applause  to 
the  burst  in  act  sixth.  Supped  with  Mr.  Pritchard,^  and  met  a  party 
with  whom  I  was  amused,  and  who  were  too  kind  for  Edinburgh. 
Why  should  one  feel  so  uncontrollable  a  disposition  to  laugh  at  the 
torture  of  a  man  singing  out  of  tune  from  fright?  I  do  not  know, 
but  I  incline  to  laugh  at  the  mere  recollection. 

April  5th. — I  see  that  I  can  improve  myself  in  my  profession  con- 
siderably, and  I  will  do  it.  Called  about  my  trunks  and  letters  on 
Mrs.  Pritchard,  was  asked  for  autographs ;  saw  an  impromptu  by  a 
Mr.  Power,  headed  "  Du  mortuis  nil  nisi  justem  " !  And  impudent 
ignorance  like  this  has  worshippers !  Called  on  Mrs.  H.  Siddons ; 
received  a  message  from  Miss  Siddons.  Struck  with  the  surpassing 
beauty  of  this  city,  which  I  delight  in  getting  free  from.  On  my 
return  home  to  fasten  and  send  off  my  trunks  (which  I  fear  are  sent 
by  smack  instead  of  steam)  I  received  a  letter  from  dearest  Catherine 
telling  of  darling  Willie's  ^  head.  The  news  quite  struck  me  down, 
making  me  quite  faint  and  sick.  If  it  be  the  will  of  Almighty  God 
to  try  my  spirit  by  the  illness  of  these  dear  babes,  may  He  give  me 
power  of  mind  and  body  to  support  it ;  at  present  I  am  helpless  under 

'  Probably  John  Langford  Pritchard  (1799- 1850),  then  one  of  Murray's  Edinburgh 
company. 

*  His  eldest  son,  William  Charles  (1832-1871),  educated  at  Westminster  and  Christ 
Church,  Oxford  ;   of  the  Cey}on  Civil  Service. 

H 


1833]  THE   DIARIES    OF   MACREADY 

the  idea.  Obliged  to  dine  with  Mr.  Bell,^  where  I  met  Allan  and 
some  agreeable  legal  men. 

April  6th. — Inconvenienced  by  my  late  hours  last  night,  I  went  to 
rehearsal,  my  mind  continually  recurring  to  my  darling  boy.  Took 
a  warm  bath  afterwards,  and  called  on  Mr.  Coulson,  who,  I  may  say, 
has  beset  me  with  civilities.  I  escaped  from  him  by  a  violent  effort. 
On  coming  home  I  received  a  letter  from  my  dear  Catherine  with 
better  news  of  darling  Willie,  for  which  I  thank  God,  while  I  pray 
for  his  complete  restoration.  Sent  a  verbal  request  to  Mr.  Murray  * 
for  an  order  for  my  hostess,  which  I  did  not  like  to  tarite ;  he  sent 
back  :  *  if  I  would  write  a  note  he  would  send  one.'  Upon  this  really 
impertinent  piece  of  coxcombry  I  considered  and  wrote  a  note.  I  had, 
on  a  wrong  belief  of  the  terms  we  stood  upon,  placed  myself  in  a  bad 
position,  and  therefore  recovered  myself  at  once.  What  can  a  man 
say  to  himself  on  thus  exposing  his  conceit  and  vanity?  I  acted  as 
well  as  the  bad  support  and  imperfectness  of  the  actors  would  let  me. 
Much  of  Werner  well,  and  J.  Surface  very  well.  Was  called  for  by 
the  audience,  and  instantly  put  on  my  cloak  and  left  the  theatre. 
Mr.  Bell,  a  friend,  called,  told  me  there  had  been  much  noise  and 

interruption,  and  that  Mr.  M told  the  audience  that  I  had  left  the 

house.     What  could  I  have  said  to  the  Edinburgh  audience? 

April  1th. — I  arose  very  early  to  be  certain  of  my  departure,  which, 
after  settling  my  various  small  accounts,  I  took  by  mail  from  that 
beautiful  and  queen-like  city.  I  was  angry — when  shall  I  learn  to 
abstain  from  such  senseless  intemperance? — with  the  coachman,  and 
gave  him  nothing,  wherein  I  was  right,  but  justice  should,  to  be 
justice,  always  be  calm.  It  is  impossible  to  imagine  any  objects  more 
in  harmony  with  the  character  of  a  city  like  Edinburgh  than  the  hills 
and  crags  on  and  among  which  it  stands.  But  my  spirit  felt  lighter 
as  I  receded  from  it. 

April  Sth. — Reached  York  in  a  comparatively  comfortable  state. 
Left  it  with  ruminations  on  its  historical  importance,  and  the  waste 

*  Henry  Glassford  Bell  (1803-1874),  sherifif  and  author;  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Royal  Scottish  Academy. 

^  William  Henry  Murray  (1790-1852),  brother  of  Mrs.  Henry  Siddons  {^.v.),  manager 
of  the  Edinburgh  theatre  and  an  accomplished  actor.  Fanny  Kemble  describes  him  "as 
one  of  the  most  perfect  actors  I  have  ever  known  on  any  stage. "  Incidents  of  the  sort  here 
related  were  not  infrequent  with  Macready,  who  while  closely  on  the  look-out  for  affronts 
from  others  was  not  always  conciliatory  in  his  own  attitude  and  methods.  He  was  not  a  man 
to  "suffer  fools  gladly,"  or  to  treat  with  much  ceremony  fellow-members  of  a  profession 
which,  apart  from  its  artistic  element,  he  thoroughly  disliked  and  despised, 

25 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

of  time  and  money  in  its  twenty-four  churches.  Rode  outside  a  few 
miles  to  enjoy  the  weather  and  the  country.  Amused  with  an  inscrip- 
tion at  Belford — the  "Newcastle  Arms  and  Conservative  Hotel." 
Joined  by  some  passengers,  whose  presence  was  anything  but  company. 
A  son  of  Lord  Grey's,  about  fourteen,  got  in  at  Stamford ;  a  pair  of 
unloaded  pistols  in  his  pockets,  which  he  frequently  presented.  A  per- 
fect consciousness  of  the  importance  in  some  persons'  minds  to  be 
attached  to  consanguinity  with  the  Prime  Minister  made  his  exuberance 
of  spirits  very  much  resemble  impertinent  forwardness.  But  this  was 
not  so  offensive  as  the  obsequiously  and  adulating  tone  of  approval  and 
admiration  that  marked  the  discourse  of  my  companions  on  the  dis- 
covery of  his  claims  to  their  homage.  When  he  spoke  of  his  brother, 
a  post-captain  at  twenty-two,  and  another  a  colonel,  my  disgust  at  the 
rapacious  patriotism  of  the  Arch- Whig,  Lord  Grey,  was  centupled.^ 

London — Elstreey  April  9th. — Had  the  comfort  of  reaching  my 
chambers,  stiff  and  wearied ;  disappointed  in  not  finding  Catherine 
and  my  baby  there ;  dressed  myself,  and  set  out  to  catch  the  Crown 
Prince  coach,  which  I  missed,  and  came  to  the  parting  of  the  roads 
by  a  Herael  Hempstead  one.  W'alked  with  a  quick  and  light  step  towards 
Elstree,  and  reached  my  dear  home  about  half-past  ten.  What  can  I 
record  beyond  this?  As  Francesca  says:  "Quel  giorno  piu  non  vi 
leggemmo  avanti."  I  found  my  darling  boy  much  better  than  I  could 
have  expected ;  my  dearest  Nina  in  full  health,  and  all  well !  I  looked 
round  the  house,  and  about  the  ground,  satisfying  myself  with  review- 
ing what  was  pleasing  for  not  being  new.  I  only  looked  over  my 
accounts,  talking  in  idle  gossip  the  rest  of  this  happy  day  away.  I 
can  only  thank  God,  as  I  humbly  and  fervently  do,  for  so  dear  and 
precious  a  gift  as  the  home  with  which  he  has  blest  me,  and  for  the 
feeling  to  appreciate  and  enjoy  it. 

London,  April  10th. — Immediately  on  coming  down,  which  I  did 
at  a  late  hour,  I  lunched  and  set  off  in  the  carriage  to  town  with 
Catherine  and  my  boy.  Called  at  the  theatre,  where  I  saw  my  name 
announced  for  Mr.  Farren's  farce ;  saw  him,  and  observed  to  him  how 
gross,  impertinent,  and  ungentlemanly  such  an  action  was ;  he  seemed 
ashamed    of    himself,    and    floundered    about    in    some    nonsensical 

•  For  a  "  Friend  of  the  People  "  Lord  Grey  was  certainly  rather  a  profuse  benefactor  of 
his  family  at  the  public  expense.  In  nepotism,  in  fact,  he  was  hard  to  beat,  a  failing 
which  his  numerous  offspring  rendered  particularly  formidable.  It  is  not  surprising  that, 
in  spite  of  his  services  to  reform,  he  was  regarded  with  disfavour  by  all  thorough-going 
Radicals. 

26 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

explanations  or  excuses/  Endeavoured  at  my  chambers  to  prepare 
myself  for  night,  but  found  a  difficulty  in  settling  and  concentrating 
my  thoughts.  Endeavoured  to  act  Macbeth  well,  but  found  myself 
strange  to  the  stage,  the  size  of  the  theatre,  and  the  effect  of  my  own 
voice.  My  earnestness  must  have  been  a  redeeming  quality  in  my 
acting,  as  the  applause  was  frequent;  as  I  advanced,  I  think  I  im- 
proved, and  my  death  was  very  warmly  applauded.  I  was  called  for 
at  the  fall  of  the  curtain,  and  obliged  to  go  forward. 

April  19th. — Wallace  ^  walked  over  from  Mill  Hill  and  staid 
dinner.  He  is  grown  lusty  and  florid,  without  the  least  shade  of 
concern  upon  his  brow,  and  speaking  in  high  spirits  of  his  sanguine 
expectations.  He  spoke  of  Wolfe's  illness  so  as  to  recall  Roche- 
foucauld's observation  on  our  feelings  of  our  friends'  misfortunes,  and 
also  acquainted  me  with  the  stupid  infatuation  of  O'Hanlon  ^  in 
sending  again  for  the  vulgar  little  Frenchwoman  from  whom  he  had 
twice  separated.  The  Haymarket  theatre  is  closed  until  Wednesday 
next  on  account  of  the  illness  of  the  performers. 

April  ^5th. — Saw  by  newspapers  that  Mr.  Bunn  is  made  lessee  of 
Drury  Lane  Theatre ;  a  more  dishonest  choice  could  not  have  been 
made,  but  I  must  "  abide  the  change  of  time." 

April  21  th. — Called  at  the  theatre,  where  I  received  several  letters 
on  various  subjects ;  among  them  one  from  the  Garrick  Club, 
threatening  me  with  "  suspension  as  a  defaulter  "  if  my  subscription 
be  not  paid.  My  disgust  or  indignation  was  a  little  excited  by  it. 
Saw  Mr.  Bunn,  who  is  certainly  the  lessee  of  Drury  Lane,  under 
Polhill's  security,  and  had  some  conversation  with  him ;  he  seems 
inclined  to  be  very  civil,  but  it  is  only  to  try  to  make  me  useful  to 
him.  I  know  him  to  be  destitute  of  honesty  and  honor,  and  from 
Mr.  Reynolds's  *  communication  to-day  he  is  evidently  double- 
tongued ;  my  policy  is  Silence  and  Vigilance;  I  can  do  without  him, 
and  must  not  yield  to  his  schemes.  Learnt  the  success  of  Knowles' 
play,  which  will  soon  blow  over.  Saw  Reynolds,  and  heard  news  of  the 
Covent  Garden  Company  at  issue  with  M.  Laporte  ;  also  some  anecdotes, 

^  Farren's  conduct  was,  of  course,  inexcusable  ;  but  such  proceedings  were  apparently 
not  uncommon  at  that  time. 

*  A  barrister  and  historical  writer,  with  whom  Macready  was  on  intimate  terms.  His 
reputation  has  not  survived,  but  he  appears  to  have  been  considered  noteworthy  by  his 
associates. 

'  Hugh  Marmaduke  O'Hanlon,  counsel  to  the  Irish  Office  ;  his  friendship  was  occasion- 
ally somewhat  embarrassing  to  Macready. 

*  Presumably  Frederic  Mansel  Reynolds,  editor  of  the  Keepsake. 

27 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

not  very  creditable,  of  the  latter  gentleman.  Returned  home;  finished 
my  race  through  Woodstock^  which  I  altogether  dislike.  Tried  to 
write  a  note  to  the  Secretary  of  Garrick  Club,  but  could  not  satisfy 
myself. 

April  28f/i. — Received  a  letter  from  Birmingham,  and  read  with 
much  interest  the  history  of  the  last  week's  politics,  which  do  not 
improve  my  opinion  of  either  the  capacity  or  honesty  of  ministers. 
Am  at  a  loss  upon  the  proper  course  of  proceeding  with  regard  to  the 
impertinent  note  of  Mr.  Winston ;  ^  am  anxious  to  avoid  acting  from 
passion  or  with  petulance,  yet  do  not  like  to  yield  to  such  vulgar 
freedom.     Answered  Mr.  Winston. 

May  2nd. — After  breakfast  I  read  a  few  letters  in  Jefferson's 
correspondence.  I  assent  to  his  declaration  that  it  is  "a  charge  of 
injustice  on  the  Creator  to  say  He  made  men  incapable  of  governing 
themselves."  I  read  as  practice  the  chief  part  of  HamleVs  second  act ; 
must  continue  my  professional  studies.  Spent  the  evening  in  writing 
to  John  Twiss.^  I  may  certainly  note  to-day  as  an  improvement  on 
yesterday,  much  of  it,  though  not  enough,  being  occupied  in  necessary 
or  useful  employment. 

To  London,  May  Qrd. — A  messenger  arrived  with  notes  from 
Messrs.  Bunn  and  Bartley,^  asking  me  to  act  for  benefit  of  latter, 
Monday,  20th  inst.  I  assented,  as  I  had  no  choice,  though  I  have  no 
motive  for  serving  Mr.  Bartley,  whom  I  look  upon  as  a  false,  base, 
treacherous  hypocrite ;  but  the  impartial  public  are  my  judges,  and 
"I  must  hold  my  tongue,"  with  Hamlet,  whatever  vicious  or  bestial 
rulers  usurp  the  influence  that  honest  men  should  have. 

May  Mh. — Received  letter  from  John  Twiss,  mentioning  his  purpose 
of  appropriating  funds  here  to  our  reimbursement.  I  never  dreamt 
of  such  a  thing,  nor  would  accept  one  farthing  for  his  boy,  as  our 
guest.  Went  to  town  on  a  morning  so  beautiful  that  it  looked  only 
to  be  enjoyed  in  the  country.  Called  on  Mr.  Cooper  and  engaged 
him  to  go  to  Birmingham  at  Whitsuntide.  Was  surprised  to  hear  him 
speak  in  what  seemed  to  me  a  silly  manner  on  the  junction  of  the  two 

*■  Secretary  of  the  Garrick  Club,  whose  threat  of  suspension  had  so  greatly  incensed 
Macready. 

*  A  member  of  the  numerous  Twiss  Family,  for  whom  Macready  was  a  trustee. 

*  George  Bartley  (1762-1858),  comedian;  stage  manager  at  Covent  Garden  in  1829. 
How  Mr.  Bartley  incurred  these  opprobious  adjectives  there  is  no  indication.  Probably  his 
offence  consisted  in  being  more  or  less  allied  with  Mr.  Alfred  Bunn.  Macready  commanded 
an  opulence  of  invective,  which  he  too  often  discharged  on  insufficient  provocation  and  in 
calmer  moments  sincerely  regretted. 

28 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

theatres,  but  he  is  to  be  manager  of  one,  and  is  therefore  salaried  to 
approve.  Called  on  Mr.  Kenneth  about  Paris  and  on  Mr.  Spence ;  on 
Mr.  Bunn  about  Birmingham,  Benefit,  W.'s  melodrama,  Raymond,  etc. 
Met  Captain  Polhill,  to  whom  eighteen  of  the  actors  or  employes  have 
given  a  dinner !  For  what  ?  "Oh,  father  Abraham  !  what  these  actors 
are !  "  Returned  home — after  paying  my  subscription  to  the  Garrick 
Club,  and  expressing  my  opinion,  perhaps  as  well  kept  to  myself,  on 
the  ungentlemanly  tone  of  the  note.  Saw  a  quarrel  on  my  return 
between  a  negro  and  a  carter. — Who  can  say  the  negro  is  the  inferior 
animal  ? 

■May  5th. — Knowles  sent  me  his  play  of  The  Wife,  a  Tale  of 
Mantua.  The  weather  is  really  delicious,  it  is  a  luxury  to  breathe  the 
air,  to  inhale  the  fragrance  of  the  flowers,  and  listen  to  the  music  of 
the  birds,  watching  the  graceful  motion  of  the  gently-waving  boughs. 
As  a  contrast  I  read  the  newspaper — the  parliamentary  debates,  the 
actions  and  speeches  of  Lord  Althorp,  Hobhouse,  Peel,^  Spring  Rice,^ 
etc.  Oh,  Nature,  let  me  find  relief  and  comfort  from  the  painful 
contemplation  of  so  much  baseness  in  the  wisdom  and  benevolence 
observable  throughout  thy  works ! 

May  6th. — I  came  to  town  with  my  family,  principally  that  Mr. 
Earle  might  see  Catherine  and  Nina.  My  morning  was  occupied  in 
executing  commissions  for  home,  until  I  parted  from  my  darlings  to 
see  Mr.  Bunn  at  the  theatre ;  my  conversation  with  him  was  not  satis- 
factory— my  Benefit  will  probably  be  sacrificed,  and  I  cannot  see  my 
way  into  next  season.  My  conversations  with  Cooper  and  Reynolds,  on 
the  subject  of  Covent  Garden  being  managed  by  myself,  leave  me  still 
in  doubt.  I  remained  in  town  to  see  the  German  opera  of  FideliOf 
which,  though  short,  is  to  an  English  auditor  rather  heavy.  The 
general  acting  also  disappointed  me ;  it  was  opera-acting — the  same 
unnatural  gesticulation  and  redundant  holding  up  of  arms  and  beating 
of  breasts.    Madame  Schroder-Devrient  ^  is  a  splendid  exception  to  the 

'  The  great  statesman  ;  at  that  time  Leader  of  the  Opposition.  Macready,  as  a  rule,  had 
little  liking  either  for  Whigs  or  Tories,  but  in  later  years  he  was  ready  to  acknowledge  Peel's 
high-minded  and  enlightened  statesmanship. 

'^  Thomas  Spring  Rice  (1790-1866),  then  Secretary  to  the  Treasury  ;  afterwards  Chancellor 
of  the  Exchequer  ;  retired  with  a  peerage  as  Lord  Monteaglein  1839.  A  colourless  Minister 
whose  one  notable  measure  was  the  introduction  of  Rowland  Hill's  penny  postage  scheme. 

'  Wilhelmina  Schroder-Devrient,  whom  Richard  Wagner  had  seen  at  Leipzig  for  the  first 
time  four  years  before.  The  opera  on  that  occasion  was  also  Fidelia,  and  it  is  interesting  to 
compare  his  impressions  with  Macready's.  "  The  Italian  Company  (Wagner  writes  in  his 
Life)  "arrived  from  Dresden  and  fascinated  the  Leipzig  audience  with  their  consummate 

29 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

commonplace  of  the  rest :  it  was  as  tender,  animated,  passionate  and 
enthusiastic  as  acting  in  an  opera  could  be — she  quite  abandoned  herself 
to  her  feelings ;  she  was  admirable.  Next  to  her  came  the  chorus.  I 
am  fatigued,  and  not  very  well.  Have  looked  into  the  Quarterly 
Review  and  some  dull  books  from  the  Club.  I  feel  called  upon  so  far 
to  revise  the  opinions  I  may  seem  to  hold  of  my  conduct  this  day  as 
to  censure  largely  and  unqualifiedly  my  imprudence  in  babbling  or 
gabbling  of  plans,  which  might  have  found  a  prosperous  issue  had  I 
played  my  cards  with  discretion ;  but  the  fact  is  I  had  no  clear  resolve 
in  my  head,  and  wanted  rather  to  drive  others  to  decision  than  to  rush 
into  action  myself. 

May  Ith. — La  Sonnamhula.  The  opera  was  the  very  excrement  of 
trash !  My  morning,  which  began  betimes,  was  occupied  in  the 
business  of  settling  the  disorder  of  my  chambers,  and  attending  to 
business  of  a  domestic  kind.  I  made  several  calls,  O'Hanlon,  Price, 
Mr.  Dow,*  with  whom  I  began  an  acquaintance,  H.  Smith,^  Birch. 
Looked  into  Quarterly;  find  in  it  opinions  on  the  old  dramatists  and 
the  blind  worship  of  them  by  the  Cockney  school  coinciding  with  my 
own ;  am  obliged  to  assent  to  the  justice  of  their  satire  on  Alfred 
Tennyson.^  Is  this  the  writer  from  whom  I  read  extracts  in  the  Tatler  ? 
Went  to  Drury  Lane,  relinquishing  my  visit  to  the  House,  to  see 
Malibran  * — what  an  artiste !     Whether  it  be  that  excellence  gains  an 

mastery  of  their  art.  Even  I  was  almost  carried  away  by  the  enthusiasm  with  which  the 
town  was  overwhelmed  into  forgetting  the  boyish  impressions  which  Signor  Sassarti  had 
stamped  upon  my  mind,  when  another  miracle — which  also  came  from  Dresden — suddenly 
gave  a  new  direction  to  my  artistic  feelings,  and  exercised  a  decisive  influence  over  my  whole 
life.  This  consisted  of  a  special  performance  given  by  Wilhelmina  Schroder-Devrient,  who 
at  that  time  was  at  the  zenith  of  her  artistic  career,  young,  beautiful  and  ardent,  and  whose 
like  I  have  never  again  seen  on  the  stage.  She  made  her  appearance  in  Fidelia.  If  I  look 
back  on  my  life  as  a  whole,  I  can  find  no  event  that  produced  so  profound  an  impression 
on  me.  Any  one  who  can  remember  that  wonderful  woman  at  this  period  of  her  life 
must  to  some  extent  have  experienced  the  almost  Satanic  ardour  which  the  intensely  human 
art  of  this  incomparable  actress  poured  into  his  veins." 

^  A  special  pleader  of  the  Temple  with  whom  Macready  for  a  time  became  very  intimate ; 
eventually,  however,  they  drifted  apart,  though  Macready  always  entertained  a  kindly 
feeling  for  him  and  visited  him  in  his  last  illness. 

2  One  of  Macieady's  oldest  friends.  He  was  actuary  of  the  Eagle  Insurance  Company, 
and  Macready  constantly  sought  his  advice  on  financial  matters. 

'  Though  only  24,  Tennyson  had  already  produced  some  of  his  most  notable  poems. 
He  was,  however,  regarded  with  little  favour  by  the  critics,  certain  of  whom  treated  him 
with  hardly  more  ceremony  than  that  accorded  by  the  Quarterly  Review  to  Keats.  It  was 
not  till  the  mid-Fifties  that  he  became  an  established  favourite  with  the  public,  though  even 
then  Maud  (published  in  1855)  made  very  few  friends. 

*  Maria  Felicia  Malibran  (1808-1836),  then  at  the  height  of  her  fame. 

30 


MADAME    MALIBRAN 

From  a  Hthof/faph 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

advantage  in  competition  by  producing  the  last  effect,  and  thereby 
leaving  its  impression  strongest,  I  do  not  know ;  but  perhaps  it  is  to 
this  cause  I  should  attribute  the  superiority,  as  it  seemed,  of  Malibran 
to-night  over  what  appeared  to  me  perfection  in  Schroder  yesterday. 
It  perplexes  me  to  decide  between  these  two  gifted  creatures — Schroder- 
Devrient  absolutely  thrilled  me,  made  me  start,  and  some  time  after 
the  agitation  into  which  she  threw  me  had  not  subsided ;  Malibran 
delighted  me — I  think  I  may  say  there  was  greater  variety  of  excellence 
in  her  performance,  and  I  fancy,  though  loth  to  let  it  escape  me,  lest 
it  should  not  be  strictly  just,  that  there  is  rather  more  finish  in 
Malibran.  I  could  not  prevent  the  thought,  as  I  sat  ia  the  theatre, 
of  how  much  vice,  frivolity,  idleness  and  folly  went  to  make  up  the 
world  of  mind  enclosed  within  those  walls.  It  is  not  my  thought  or 
wish  to  '*  throw  a  stone  "  at  frailty ;  but  I  feel  the  slang  of  the  Press 
on  the  unimportance  of  private  character  to  a  performer  to  be  as  false 
in  fact  as  it  is  disgusting  in  principle.  All  are  so  far  honest  or  hypo- 
critical as  to  render  virtue  homage  by  applauding  it  in  a  theatre ;  and 
what  mind  of  common  decency  but  must  feel  pain  at  listening  to 
asseverations  of  purity,  sentiments  of  delicacy,  and  solemn  protestations 
of  truth  and  fidelity,  which  Heaven  is  called  to  witness  and  record, 
from  a  wanton's  lips?  It  is  a  profanation  of  what  should  be  held  in 
reverence  to  make  virtue  a  mere  toy  for  our  amusement,  as  this  utter 
indifference  to  character  actually  does. 

May  Sth. — Rose  early  to  meet  the  business  before  me ;  acknow- 
ledged to  Knowles  his  play  of  The  Wife.  In  his  inscription  upon  it 
he  terms  himself  "my  attached,"  etc. ;  he  does  the  same  to  Reynolds, 
of  whom  he  knows  nothing !  Busied  through  the  morning  in  domestic 
commissions  and  duties.  Harley  ^  called  by  appointment  to  talk  over 
the  state  of  the  profession.  Cooper  came  in  to  excuse  himself,  on 
account  of  a  new  farce,  from  his  Elstree  engagement.  We  had  much 
conversation  on  the  subject  of  the  theatre ;  the  opinion  seemed  to  be 
that  it  would  be  much  better  for  the  profession  that  Covent  Garden 
should  be  opened  by  others  than  by  the  Drury  Lane  manager ;  it  was 
agreed  to  wait  the  event  of  Mr.  Bunn's  negotiation. 

May  10th. — Heard  from  O'Hanlon  that  Hobhouse  had  lost  his 
election ;  conceived  that  he  had  brought  the  disgrace  needlessly  upon 
himself,  by  first  tampering  with  the  integrity  of  his  character,  and  then 
finessing  too  grossly  for  its  reparation. 

^  John  Pritt  Harley  (1786-1858),  chiefly  noted  for  his  impersonations  of   Shakspcrian 
clowns. 

31 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

May  llth. — A  letter  from  Harley  asked  to  see  me  at  the  theatre 
between  one  and  two  o'clock.  Though  satisfied  of  the  little  importance 
of  his  information,  I  decided  on  going,  in  order  to  keep  my  promise 
with  him,  and  to  convince  him  that  in  business  I  was  not  disposed  to 
trifle.  Letitia  at  first  determined  to  go  with  me  to  Cartwright,^  but 
yielded  her  resolve  to  the  hope  of  recovery.  Received  j^thelgiva  from 
Serle;  called  at  Reynolds's,  and  heard  no  more  news,  except  that  the 
decisive  answer  to  Mr.  Bunn's  offer  for  Covent  Garden  theatre  was 
deferred  beyond  to-day.     Called  at  Morgan's. 

May  12f/i. — Rose  with  the  intention  of  going  to  morning  service, 
and  of  devoting  the  after-part  of  the  day  to  writing  and  reading. 
Unluckily  a  very  short  time  after  breakfast  we  were  surprised  by  the 
arrival  of  Mr.  Gaspey  and  his  daughter,  who  came  to  breakfast,  and 
to  read  a  farce  to  me.  There  was  a  good  deal  of  smartness  in  the 
piece,  but  it  seemed  overlaid  with  puns.  After  luncheon  this  good- 
natured,  good-hearted  little  fellow  left  us  to  wish  we  had  many  friends 
as  warm  and  faithful  as  himself.  He  spoke  of  Jerdan's  ^  habit  of 
laying  his  friends  under  contribution  and  cautioned  me ;  it  was  kind, 
but  needless. 

May  15th. — Saw  Reynolds,  who  had  no  other  news  for  me  than  that 
the  two  negotiators  for  the  union  of  the  theatres,  Moore  and  Robins,^ 
came  to  words  in  their  conferences,  and  could  not  talk  without  quarrel- 
ling. Returned  with  Dr.  Lardner,  invalided.  My  conversation  with 
Dr.  Lardner  after  dinner  was  very  interesting,  whether  on  politics, 
religion  or  science,  in  all  of  which  one  gains  new  or  clearer  views  of 
a  subject  by  its  discussion  with  him.  The  facts  he  related  in 
astronomy  were  to  me  new  and  most  interesting.  I  have  certainly 
been  more  industrious  to-day ;  on  my  journey  I  thought  on  Macbeth. 

May  16th. — Dr.  Lardner  was  unwell,  much,  I  conjecture,  from  his 
want  of  caution.  The  weather  is  perfectly  Italian,  and  the  indolence 
of  basking  in  it  too  seductive.  Took  down  my  Shakspeare,  and  looked 
at  Macbeth,  but  did  little  more.     Endeavoured  to  render  any  assistance 

^  Samuel  Cartwright  (1789-1864),  originally  an  ivory  turner  ;  the  fashionable  dentist  of  his 
day  ;  famous  also  for  his  recherchi  dinners,  at  which  he  entertained  many  of  his  eminent 
patients,  thus  atoning  for  the  tortures  of  the  chair  with  the  pleasures  of  the  table. 

'^  William  Jerdan  (l  782-1869),  editor  and  subsequently  proprietor  of  the  Literary  Gazette^ 
one  of  the  most  notable  journalists  of  his  day  ;  his  Autobiography  contains  much  interesting 
matter,  political  as  well  as  literary.  Macready  was  on  friendly  terms  with  him,  though  at 
times  sorely  tried  by  his  borrowing  proclivities. 

'  George  Henry  Robins  (1778-1847),  the  renowned  auctioneer;  a  proficient  alike  in 
puffery  and  repartee. 

32 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

to  my  guest,  who  continued  very  unwell.  Spent  much  of  the  day  in 
the  garden.  Dr.  Lardner  got  up  to  tea,  and  afforded  us  by  his  com- 
munications a  most  interesting  evening.  The  facts  regarding  the 
nebulae  of  stars,  the  suggestions  on  the  dis-  and  re-appearance  of  stars, 
the  distance  from  the  nearest  fixed  star  conveyed  in  the  supposed 
opacity  of  the  earth's  orbit  only  being  a  speck  of  light  seen  from  it, 
Herschel  not  visible  to  the  naked  eye,  the  direction  of  the  comets  from 
the  sun,  were  new  truths  to  me.  Campbell's,  Knowles'  and  Moore's 
characters  were  interesting  in  their  successive  reviews. 

May  ITi/i. — In  a  letter  from  Reynolds  I  heard  of  Bunn's  lease  of 
Co  vent  Garden,  and  of  Kean's  death.  The  chance  of  the  first  circum- 
stance had  already  caused  me  to  think  over  the  probable  conduct  of 

Mr.  B and  its  consequences.     I  therefore  gave  little  consideration 

to  it.  Kean's  death  scarcely  awoke  a  passing  thought ;  he  has  lived  his 
own  choice  of  life ;  even  his  very  indecencies  have  found  eulogists,  as 
the  worst  parts  of  (often  admirable)  acting  have  had  loud-throated 
admirers. 

May  ISth. — Went  to  town  for  the  rehearsal  at  Covent  Garden  of 
Macbeth ;  and  having  called  on  Calcraft,  and  read  a  short  eulogium  on 
Eean,  passed  on  to  the  theatre.  Everything  seemed  strange  to  me, 
and  the  affectation,  pretension,  hypocrisy  and  falsehood  of  Mrs.  Bart- 
ley  *  were  almost  beyond  the  endurance  of  good  manners.  She  is,  I 
think,  one  of  the  very  worst  and  most  offensive  women  I  ever  saw  or 
heard  of.  I  recovered  my  self-possession  as  the  rehearsal  proceeded. 
Heard  an  absurd  story  of  Kean's  will,  ascribing  his  death  to  the  Jewess 
who  lived  with  him !  Saw  Messrs.  Bunn  and  Bartley  at  Drury  Lane ; 
appointed  Tuesday  with  Bunn  to  settle  my  benefit.  Made  arrangements 
providing  against  the  necessity  of  attending  Kean's  funeral,  which  I 
have  no  wish  to  do,  as  I  entertain  no  feeling  of  respect  for  his  character. 
Delighted  to  return  home  from  the  vulgarity,  heartlessness  and 
quackery  of  London.  Spent  a  very  pleasant  evening  with  Dr.  Lardner, 
etc.,  on  their  return  from  St.  Albans. 

May  19th. — Read  the  newspapers  and  suffered  myself  to  descend  to 
the  feelings  of  impatience  and  annoyance  at  the  lavish  and  indiscrimi- 
nate panegyrics  heaped  on  the  memory  of  Kean.     This  is  unworthy  of 

*  Sarah  Bartley  (1783-1850),  actress  ;  wife  of  George  Bartley  (see  note  p.  28),  identified 
with  Lady  Townley  in  TAe  Provoked  Husband,  and  Teresa  in  Coleridge's  Remorse,  a  part 
which  she  created.  It  is  difficult  to  realize  how  such  a  catalogue  of  faults  and  offences  could 
be  crowded  into  a  single  rehearsal,  but  Macready  was  apparently  determined  to  make  up  for 
his  self-possession  at  the  theatre  by  "  letting  off  steam  "  at  home. 

VOL.  I.  D  o-> 


THE   DIARIES   OF    MACREADY  [1833 

me.  If  they  are  just,  I  am  guilty  of  envy  in  repining  at  them ;  if 
they  are  undeserved,  of  what  importance  are  they  ?  I  beUeve  that  part 
of  the  world  which  is  allowed  an  influence  over  my  profession  is 
invidiously  unjust  to  me ;  but  have  I  not  consolation  and  compensation 
in  that  dearer  part  of  it  that  affords  me  so  much  comfort  and  happi- 
ness? Passed  again  a  very  agreeable  evening  with  Dr.  Lardner,  from 
whose  conversation  I  derived  much  information ;  particularly  got  some 
new  views  on  the  subject  of  Political  Economy. 

May  20th. — Came  to  town  with  Dr.  Lardner  after  writing  a  few 
lines  and  walking  round  the  garden.  Made  some  calls  of  business  on 
my  way  from  the  coach,  and  at  chambers  read  in  the  Times  the  inten- 
tion of  making  a  display  at  Kean's  funeral.  Privacy  would  become 
his  memory  better.  The  reflections  raised  by  such  a  style  of  funeral 
do  neither  credit  to  the  dead  nor  living.  I  have  felt  impatience  at  the 
adulatory  effusions  of  his  admirers  and  friends.  I  rebuke  myself  for 
a  pettiness  of  feeling  unworthy  of  me.  Give  him  all ;  it  does  not 
detract  from  my  share  of  comfort  nor  vitiate  my  title  to  respect,  where 
it  has  existence.  Let  me  speak  what  good  I  can  of  him,  and  be  silent 
where  I  cannot  praise.  Devoted  the  whole  day  to  preparation  for 
Macbeth;  Mr.  Dow  called.  I  acted,  on  the  whole,  I  think,  well;  in 
several  places  I  may  finish  more — much  more — giving  freedom  to  my 
deportment  and  manly  freshness  to  my  tones  in  many  places.  The 
audience  seemed  to  go  with  me.  Mrs.  Bartley  is  a  most  inferior  person 
— she  is  gone,  unregretted  and  unrespected.  She  has  no  claim  whatever 
to  the  character  of  an  actress ;  her  style  is  as  false  as  her  heart  or 
tongue.     She  is  a  most  unfair  person. 

May  21st. — Found  it  necessary  to  arrange  the  business  of  the  day 
before  me,  and  after  reading  the  paper,  in  which  I  vainly  looked  for 
some  notice  of  myself,  set  forward.  Called  to  ask  the  meaning  of  the 
newspaper  announcement  of  myself  at  Kean's  funeral — found  it  true, 
but  no  more  known.  Met  Young, ^  or  rather  spoke  to  him  when  he 
would  not  have  met  me — and  perhaps  some  shame  at  seeing  me  is  not 

'  Charles  Mayne  Young  {1777-1856),  comedian  ;  but  also  successful  as  Hamlet ;  one  ot 
the  few  Etonians  that  have  made  a  name  on  the  stage.  Macready  thus  commemorates  him  on 
his  death  in  1856  :  "The  news  of  Young's  death  yesterday  depressed  me  more  than  those  who 
had  witnessed  our  contention  for  the  prize  of  public  favour  could  have  conceived.  I  had  a  very 
sincere  respect  for  him.  No  two  men  could  have  differed  more  in  the  character  of  their  minds, 
in  their  tastes,  pursuits  and  dispositions ;  but  his  prudence,  his  consistency  in  his  own  peculiar 
views,  and  the  uniform  respectability  of  his  conduct  engaged  and  held  fast  my  esteem  for 
him  from  the  time  that  the  excitable  feelings  of  immediate  rivalry  had  passed  away,  I  am 
thankful  that  I  had  the  opportunity  of  proving  that." 

34 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

unbecoming  to  me ;  asked  his  intention  respecting  Kean's  funeral,  but 
he  has  no  more  to  fear ;  papers  have  done  their  worst ;  nothing  can 
touch  him  further ;  he  will  not  go.  I  am  under  the  thrall  of  opinion, 
and  must.  Saw  Mr.  Bunn,  as  bad  as  my  worst  thoughts  of  him. 
Called  on  Miss  E.  Tree,^  who  seemed  pleased  to  play  for  me;  on 
Reynolds,  who,  not  very  amusing,  mentioned  Mr.  Harris's  opinion  that 
the  united  theatres  would  answer.  I  cannot  see  it.  The  Post  has  a 
panegyric  on  Mrs.  Bartley,  who  bellowed  most  cow-like,  never  once 
looking  in  my  face,  nor  ever  producing  the  shadow  of  a  change  in  her 
own — she  was  quizzed  in  the  sleeping  scene  enough  to  awaken  her — so 
much  for  papers. 

May  24t/i. — I  was  in  earnest  beginning  business,  after  my  walk 
round  the  garden  and  playing  with  my  children,  when  Sir  Jno. 
Marshall  arrived  to  interrupt  me.     He  lunched,  gave  us  a  very  warm 

invitation  from  Lady  M and  self ;  related  anecdotes  of  Thurtell's  ^ 

brother,  and  the  early  occupants  of  Mr.  King's  house,  fate  of  the 
daughters,  etc. — left  us  about  three  o'clock.     Birch  and  self  went  down 

to  the  water  and  rowed  till  nearly  five,  when  Messrs.  D and  S 

arrived  and  came  to  us.  In  conversing  with  them  after  dinner  I 
allowed  myself  most  imprudently  to  criticize  the  knowledge  and 
impartiality  of  the  public  Press.  Why  cannot  I  be  silent  on  what,  if 
my  opinions  are  promulgated,  I  only  aggravate  ?  This  impotent  display 
of  contempt  or  anger  is  most  unwise.  Never  betray  hostility  until  you 
have  the  power  to  crush,  and  then  use  it  only  to  prove  a  better  nature 
than  that  of  your  paltry  antagonist. 

May  9,5th. — Came  early  to  town.  Got  my  clothes  from  Wilkins, 
and  found  a  note  from  Miss  E.  Tree,  expressing  her  regret  at  not 
being  allowed  to  act  for  me.  Saw  Bunn  at  the  theatre,  where  I  took 
places  for  Lady  Marshall.     Packed  up  my  trunk  and  wrote  to  Sir 

J.  M ,  with  orders ;  saw  the  Co  vent  Garden  manifesto,  which  Bunn 

blackguarded  in  good  set  terms  and  I  did  not  quite  see  the  aim  of ;  but 
counselled  him  to  disarm  and  gain  over  the  strong — he  mentioned  his 
wish  to  engage  me.     On  my  way  to  Richmond  ^  with  Harley,  Birch, 

^  Ellen  Tree,  afterwards  Mrs.  Charles  Kean  (1805- 1880)  ;  a  capable  actress  of  secondary 
rank  ;  she  was  closely  associated  with  her  husband's  enterprises,  and  on  his  death  retired 
from  the  stage. 

*  John  Thurtell,  exeaited  for  the  murder  of  William  Weare,  which  created  an  immense 
sensation  at  the  time  (1823).    He  was  the  son  of  a  Mayor  of  Norwich,  and  having  failed  as  a 
manufacturer   had  taken   to  prize-fighting  and  gambUng.     He  had  lost  money  to  Weare 
whom  he  murdered  at  a  spot  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Macready's  residence. 
*  To  attend  Edmund  Kean's  funeral, 

°"  35 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

and  Spence,  met  Jones  who  promised  to  do  M.  Perez  for  my  night. 
Passed  several  pedestrian  mourners  on  the  road,  and  some  carriages, 
Mr.  Ducrow's.^  On  alighting  among  a  vulgar  crowd  saw  Mrs.  and 
Miss  Faucit.^  Ushered  into  the  room  where  Kean's  remains  lay — poor 
creature !  Lee  hoped  that  Mr.  Harley  approved  what  he  had  done. 
In  the  drawing-room  shook  hands  with  young  Kean,  Stanfield,^  Knowles. 
Clint  *  introduced  me  to  Mr.  Forster."  After  some  delay  furnishing 
mourners,  etc.,  we  were  summoned,  Braham  ^  and  self  first,  as  sup- 
porters ;  we  crossed  the  green  and  paced  the  crowding  streets  amid  the 
loud  remarks  and  repetition  of  names  of  the  multitude.  Kean's  coffin, 
placed  before  our  pew,  led  me  into  very  sad  ruminations — contrasting 
his  moments  of  burning  energy  with  the  mass  of  cold  corruption 
fronting  me.  The  church  was  crowded  by  curious  and  gay  visitors, 
and  was  distressingly  hot — his  son  and  Mr.  Lee  were  much  affected ; 
the  anthem  was  beautiful  but  long.  The  procession  returned  to  the 
house  in  its  original  order.  I  could  make  little  observation  on  anything 
around  me,  being  under  such  a  surveillance.  Braham  invited  me  to 
dine  with  him  at  the  "  Star  and  Garter,"  but  I  was  obliged  to  decline. 
I  shook  hands  very  warmly  with  young  Kean,  who  thanked  me ;  and, 
with  Harley,  went  in  search  of  the  carriage,  which  met  us  on  the 
Green  and  very  rapidly  took  us  to  town. 

^  Andrew  Ducrow  (1793-1842) ;  the  famous  equestrian  and  pantomimist. 

*  Helen  Faucit,  afterwards  Lady  Martin  (1817-1898) ;  the  leading  mid-Victorian  actress  ; 
married  in  185 1  Mr.  (afterwards  Sir  Theodore)  Martin.  She  was  at  various  times  asso- 
ciated with  Macready,  both  in  London  and  in  the  provinces,  as  well  as  in  Paris.  Her 
name  frequently  occurs  in  the  Diaries,  and,  in  spite  of  occasional  misunderstandings,  she 
entertained  the  highest  regard  for  him  to  the  last  (see  note  on  William  Farren,  p.  23). 

'  Clarkson  Stanfield,  R.A.  ( 1 793-1 867)  ;  at  one  time  scene-painter  at  Dniry  Lane; 
afterwards  landscape  and  marine  painter.  Executed  much  scenic  work  for  Macready,  with 
whom  he  was  on  intimate  terms. 

*  George  Clint  (1770-1854)  ;  portrait-painter,  especially  in  theatrical  circles. 

^  John  Forster  (1812-1876);  journalist  and  biographer;  eventually  a  Lunacy  Com- 
missioner. This  introduction  inaugurated  a  friendship  that,  with  some  vicissitudes,  was 
destined  to  become  an  extremely  intimate  one  to  the  end  of  Macready's  life.  Forster,  in  fact, 
became  his  trusted  counsellor  and  referee  on  almost  every  subject,  both  private  and  pro- 
fessional, and,  on  the  whole,  he  undoubtedly  proved  a  good  and  faithful  friend.  But  his 
egotism  and  aggressiveness  (he  was  well  described  by  an  aggrieved  cabmah  as  a  "harliitrary 
gent.")  were  faults  which  Macready,  of  all  men,  was  little  disposed  to  tolerate,  and  the 
Diaries  contain  many  characteristic  descriptions  of  various  temporary  interruptions  in  their 
intimacy. 

*  John  Braham  (1774-1856)  the  amous  tenor;  father  of  Frances,  Countess  Waldegrave. 
His  real  name  was  Abraham,  his  father  being  a  German  Jew  in  Whitechapel,  where  Braham 
as  a  child  used  to  sing  from  shop  to  shop.  At  one  time  his  voice  brought  him  in  ;[{['i4,ooo 
a  year,  but  disastrous  speculations  reduced  him  to  poverty. 

36 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

To  Birmingham,  May  26th. — I  kissed  my  darling  babes  in  the 
nursery,  and  taking  leave  of  Letitia,  also  of  my  wife,  I  went  to  the 
Plough  to  wait  for  the  "  Crown  Prince  "  coach.  My  travelling  com- 
panions, on  getting  into  the  coach,  did  not  offer  me  the  prospect  of 
a  very  pleasant  day ;  but  the  perusal  of  the  translation  of  Goethe's 
Faust  employed  and  amused  my  mind  the  greater  part  of  the  journey. 
A  literal  translation  must  leave  much  of  the  spirit  behind,  and  in 
following,  as  I  suppose,  many  of  the  inversions  of  the  original  adds 
to  its  obscurity.  In  the  simple  passages  of  Margaret's  description  of 
her  little  sister's  life  and  death,  and  in  the  last  scene  her  wish  to 
have  her  own  infant  in  her  grave  beside  her,  for  "no  other  creature 
would  be  near  her,"  I  was  much  affected.  On  approaching  Birming- 
ham I  saw  the  terrible  affiches  of  Mr.  Ducrow's,  which  with  other  ill- 
boding  circumstances  prepared  me  for  a  bad  week.  On  arriving  I 
inquired  for  my  old  admiring  friend,  and  could  not  at  first  catch  the 
low  muttering  tones  in  which  the  servant  told  me  she  was  dead !  I 
was  quite  shocked.  I  had  known  her  since  I  could  remember  anything. 
Death  has  been  very  busy  this  year.  Mr.  Cooper  called,  and  sat  a 
short  time. 

May  21th. — I  attended  rehearsal,  and  the  whole  fate  of  the 
engagement  was  visible  to  me :  a  wretched  company,  and  a  mere 
wandering  manager,  who  ventures  because  he  has  nothing  to  lose. 
It  is  quite  unfortunate  that  I  came ;  but  it  must  be  endured,  and  it 
is  always  wise  to  make  the  best  even  of  the  worst.  Wrote  to  Bunn 
and  Palmer,  for  I  am  in  a  terrible  dilemma,  my  trunks  not  having 
arrived,  in  consequence  of  which  we  must  change  the  play  from 
Macbeth  to-morrow.  I  acted  in  parts  pretty  well  and  seemed  to  carry 
the  audience — they  were  not  a  heavy  load  to  bear  in  any  way — with 
the  interest  of  the  play.  The  house  was  very  bad,  but  I  have  no  right 
to  complain  of  Birmingham ;  I  noted  several  things  in  my  acting 
which  will  lead  to  the  correction,  I  think,  of  a  faulty  principle.  Mr. 
Reynolds,  who  is  a  great  bore,  called.  I  tried  to  read  Hamlet ,  but  did 
little  with  it. 

May  28f/i. — Went  to  the  rehearsal  of  Hamlet,  and  convinced  myself 
that  by  due  care  and  attention,  which  means  a  great  deal,  I  might 
act  the  part  very  well.  On  returning  to  dinner  I  skimmed  through 
some  of  the  nonsense  of  Candide,  and  looked  with  all  the  attention 
'*  my  care-tired  thoughts  "  were  capable  of  at  Hamlet.  My  trunks 
arrived  before  I  went  to  the  theatre.  I  acted  Hamlet,  although  with 
much  to  censure,  yet  with  a  spirit,  and  feeling  of  words  and  situations, 

37 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

that  I  think  I  have  never  done  before.  The  first  act  was  the  best — 
still  at  the  exit  of  the  Ghost  in  both  scenes,  and  afterwards,  polish 
and  self-possession  are  requisite.  In  the  second  act  almost  general 
revision ;  third  act  the  soliloquy  wants  a  more  entire  abandonment  to 
thought — more  abstraction.  Ophelia's  scene  wants  finish,  as  does  the 
advice  to  the  players.  The  play  scene  was  very  good,  and  most  of  the 
closet  scene,  but  in  parts  my  voice  is  apt  to  rise,  and  I  become  rather 
too  vehement.  Latter  part  wants  smoothness.  End  of  the  play  was 
good.     Energy !     Energy !     Energy ! 

May  9,9th. — Letters  from  Mr.  Bunn,  deciding,  by  Madame  Vestris's  ^ 
performance  of  Estifania,  my  play,  and  from  Catherine  with  bad 
accounts  of  my  dear  children.  I  could  not  write  except  to  Bunn ;  the 
rehearsal  was  so  late,  and  the  play  was  so  bad  and  so  imperfect,  that 
I  was  quite  incapacitated  from  doing  myself  justice.  I  lost  my  temper. 
Shame ! 

May  SOth. — Wrote  very  briefly  to  my  wife,  and  also  to  my  sister ; 
went  again  to  the  torment  of  a  rehearsal ;  tormenting  in  the  anticipa- 
tion it  gives  me  of  the  night  to  come.  At  night  the  repetition  of  the 
same    miserable    exhibition   behind    the    curtain,    and    equally    poor 

assemblage  before ;  I  tried  to  keep  my  temper,  but The  thought 

of  my  intemperance  quite  distresses  me.  I  cannot  excuse  myself,  nor 
extenuate  my  folly — or  rather  madness !  It  is  dreadful.  On  coming 
home  I  resolved,  after  some  hesitation  and  disposition  to  relinquish  it, 
to  go  on  with  Leon,  and  do  my  best  in  good  earnest. 

May  31st. — A  letter  from  Bunn,  in  which  he  now  mentions  his 
uncertainty  of  getting  Taglioni  for  my  benefit,  which  before  he  taught 
me  to  rely  on  as  sure !  Wrote  to  him,  but  corrected  my  letter,  and 
sent  one  solely  on  business.  Went  to  rehearsal ;  made  a  trifling  present 
to  the  little  boy,  who,  in  Albert  ^  last  night,  so  disconcerted  and 
enraged  me.  I  deserved  a  severer  penalty.  Walked  with  Mr.  Cooper, 
discoursing  on  the  chances  of  next  season.  Worn  down  with  fatigue, 
slept  the  whole  afternoon.  Acted  as  well  as  I  could  under  the  circum- 
stances of  spirits,  body  quite  oppressed  with  weariness — of  course  not 

^  Lucia  Elizabeth  Vestris,  ttJe  Bartolozzi  (1797-1856);  being  a  granddaughter  of  the 
eminent  engraver.  Married  first  Armand  Vestris,  the  dancer,  at  the  age  of  16  ;  secondly,  in 
1835,  Charles  James  Mathews,  the  actor.  Except  in  certain  comic  parts  a  mediocre  actress, 
but  highly  successful  as  a  stage  singer.  Without  any  pretensions  to  beauty,  she  was 
singularly  fascinating,  and  made  numerous  conquests,  not  always  with  credit  to  her 
reputation. 

«  In  lVt//ia»i  Tell. 

38 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

very  well;  the  line  "fled  to  England?  "  I  discovered  capable  of  more 
prominent  effect.  My  dresser  informed  me  of  artizans,  accustomed  to 
receive  30s.  and  40s.  per  week,  rolling  wheelbarrows  of  sand  a  given 
distance  at  Id.  a  load,  and  only,  if  married,  allowed  to  roll  18  per 
day.  What  a  puzzle  is  this  world !  Is  it  not  a  duty  to  relieve  such  a 
distressed  population  by  means  of  emigration  or  employment?  The 
game  of  politics  is  a  base  one,  I  believe. 

June  1st. — The  newspaper  this  morning  only  confirmed  my  opinion 
of  the  base  trade  of  those  wretches  who  call  themselves  Whigs  and 
Tories,  and  strive  to  engage  the  passions  of  men  in  a  struggle  of 
names,  diverting  their  attention  from  their  own  best  interests  merely 
to  get  place  and  pension  for  themselves.  I  am  sick  of  politics.  I  feel 
comfortable  in  the  thought  that  my  heavy  work  is  over,  though  I  am 
sorely  pained  and  over- weighed  by  what  I  have  done.  After  rehearsal, 
during  which  I  finished  the  packing  of  my  two  trunks,  I  walked  with 
Mr.  Cooper  to  some  of  the  manufactories,  where  I  made  some  small 
purchases ;  but  checked  myself  in  the  act  of  purchasing  ornaments 
and  trinkets  for  my  wife,  thinking  that  it  is  better  to  leave  her  the 
means  of  buying  them,  than  perhaps  the  necessity  of  seeking  means 
by  selling  them.  A  Mr.  Perrin,  an  actor  from  a  strolling  company, 
applied  to  me.  I  refused  him  where  I  would  not  have  refused  an 
industrious  tradesman.  Let  it  not  be  thought  that  there  is  no  value 
in  recording  maxims  or  precepts.  I  was  deterred  this  day  from  sending 
a  letter  by  glancing  on  my  own  quotation  of  "Conduct  is  Fate." 
This  evening  Mr.  Cooper  told  me  of  Mr.  Bunn's  manifesto  on  the 
"  maximum  "  of  salary.  After  acting  very  ill,  and  being  cut  up  in 
one  scene  and  cut  out  of  my  death  in  another,  I  went  home  to  read  it. 
I  was,  as  usual,  irritated,  disgusted  and  disquieted  by  Mr.  Bunn's 
precious  paper ;  I  could  not  regain  the  tranquillity  of  mind  necessary 
to  reflection,  and  went  to  bed  to  compose  myself.  I  tossed  and  turned 
in  a  feverish  state  for  two  or  three  hours.  This  is  not  the  way  to  act 
wisely. 

June  Srd. — Mr.  Cooper  called,  and  gave  me  an  ill  prospect  of 
to-night,  but — "  tu  ne  cede  malis."  I  sent  him  in  pursuit  of  the 
manager  to  secure  his  money,  of  which,  at  least  of  my  own,  I  do  not 
feel  quite  secure.  I  only  got  into  my  dining-room  about  three  hours 
before  play  time.  I  played  only  tolerably.  I  want  to  consider  every 
line,  and  test  each  by  a  natural  standard.  The  house  was  very  bad, 
such  as  I  never  saw  before  to  my  benefit  in  Birmingham.  I  only  made 
gratuities  to  my  dresser  and  the  doorkeeper;  all  else  were  so  bad. 

39 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1888 

Mr.  Fraser  paid  me  punctually.  I  declined  a  purchase  made,  because 
the  tradesman  rose  on  the  price  agreed  to. 

London f  June  4t?i. — At  five  o'clock  left  Birmingham  in  the  "  Red 
Rover,"  with  a  guard  dressed  for  the  part,  in  a  red  coat  and  red  hat. 
Much  of  the  w  ay  I  slept,  and  was  averse  to  produce  my  book  of  Rule  a 
Wife  on  account  of  the  fellow-passengers  of  my  journey.  On  arriving  I 
found  by  a  note  from  Bunn  that  Vestris  declined  Estifania,  and  I  had 
a  play  to  seek.  After  a  few  moments'  talk  School  for  Scandal  was 
decided  on,  myself  as  Charles.  Some  time  had  elapsed  before  I  had 
read  the  part,  and  saw  my  unfitness  for  it,  I  therefore  took  my  name 
down  and  retained  my  former  part  of  Joseph.  This  is  not  such  a 
bill  as  the  tragedian  of  the  theatre  should  put  out,  and  I  feel  it  a  sort 
of  suicide,  but  look  at  the  company,  look  at  the  time,  and  then  what 
is  to  be  decided  on  for  Monday.  I  saw  Malibran  to-night  in  a  state 
of  ridiculous  confusion,  owing  to  a  tumble  she  had  had  in  a  dance. 
She  would  have  done  better  to  have  laughed. 

June  5th. — Took  up  my  pen  to  contradict  a  paragraph  ("  author- 
ized ")  stating  my  declaration  of  furthering  the  objects  of  the  present 
lessee  of  the  theatres.  Think  it  better  to  reserve  the  contradiction  of 
the  falsehood  until  I  can  do  it  with  more  effect.  Mr.  Jones's  ^  refusal 
of  my  request  that  he  would  act  Sir  B.  Backbite  gave  me  reason  to 
congratulate  myself  on  my  prudence  in  not  announcing  him,  as  I  had 

hastily  thought  of  doing.     Mr.  J gave  me  several  reasons  for 

refusing  what  he  was  pledged  to  in  a  better  character — Copper  Captain. 
One  good  one  would  have  been  worth  a  thousand  such.  Harley  made 
himself  especially  ridiculous  in  affecting  a  repugnance  to  the  same,  his 
own,  part.  What  fools  are  actors !  !  Came  home,  found  my  dear 
family  well.     Delighted  to  look  around  me. 

June  6th. — My  cold  kept  me  a  prisoner  in  my  bed  the  whole  of  the 
morning.  I  often  wish  for  that  energy  with  which  I  see  some  men 
under  the  pressure  of  heavy  bodily  ailment  still  continue  the  active 
exercise  of  their  minds.  No  man  is  justified  before  experiment  has 
been  made  in  saying  that  he  cannot  do  anything ;  and  I  ought  to  have 
made  proof  of  my  inability  to  get  through  business  and  make  use  of 
time  before  I  put  forward  this  plea  for  inaction.  Received  a  letter 
from  Mrs.  Gibbs,'*  accompanied  by  one  from  those  jacks-in-office,  the 
Covent  Garden  Committee  at  the  Olympic,  forbidding  her  (dogs  in 

^  Presumably  Richard  Jones  (1779-1851)  ;  a  clever  comedian,   chiefly  identified  with 
"  eccentric "  parts.     Known  as  "  Gentleman  Jones." 

•  Formerly  Sus&nna  Graddon  (1804- 1854);  actress  and  vocalist ;  of  no  special  reputation. 

40 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

a  manger)  to  play  on  my  night.  It  was  not  of  sufficient  consequence 
to  disturb  or  harry  myself  about,  and  therefore  I  have  deferred  any 
notice  of  it  till  to-morrow.  Felt  a  strange  disinclination  to  application 
of  any  kind,  and  went  to  bed  very  early. 

June  '1th. — My  day  began  earlier  than  yesterday,  but  still  I  felt 
oppressed  by  slothfulness  and  inertness.  I  enclosed  Mrs.  Gibbs's 
letters  to  Bunn,  with  one  to  Mrs.  Orger,^  requesting  her,  in  my 
dilemma,  to  resume  on  that  occasion  her  part  of  Mrs.  Candour.  Went 
again  at  an  early  hour  to  bed. 

June  Sth. — Obliged,  through  the  forgetfulness  of  the  carrier,  who 
omitted  to  bring  my  letters,  to  go  to  London ;  took  Catherine  and 
Nina  in  the  carriage  with  me ;  delighted  with  ray  little  darling  child's 
remarks  and  playfulness.  Found  notes  in  chambers  from  Mr.  Grainger, 
importuning  me  about  his  play. 

June  dth. — Went  to  church  with  Catherine.  Mr.  Chalk's  baby 
was  to  be  christened ;  the  entire  duty  was  performed  by  a  clergyman 
whose  vulgar  appearance  and  pronunciation  set  me  on  conjecturing 
who  our  curate's  friend  could  be.  After  some  reflection  I  thought 
it  probable  he  might  be  the  son  of  a  St.  Albans  tradesman,  a  boyish 
companion  of  Mr.  Chalk,  who  had  subsequently  been  a  sizar  at  college. 
He,  however,  showed  too  little  accuracy  for  such  an  education.  He 
gave  out  the  wrong  psalms,  read  the  wrong  lessons,  made  frequent 
blunders,  said  "peremptory" — "spiritual,"  etc.,  and  preached  such 
a  sermon  in  such  a  manner  as  to  offer  the  strongest  arguments  against 
the  genuineness  of  the  Church  of  England's  Christianity  that  a  dis- 
senter could  wish.     The  reverend  teacher  proved  to  be  Lord  R . 

Shame  on  him,  and  the  institution  that  tolerates  his  companionship. 

London,  June  10th. — Benefit.  Amount  of  House  with  all  the 
foreign  aid — .£408  Ss.  6d.  Profit  .£116.  Our  hay  began  to  be  cut 
under  the  hottest  sun  of  the  season ;  and  I  left  it,  with  Catherine  and 
Letitia,  to  attend  my  Benefit  in  Town.  Found  several  affairs  con- 
nected with  it  demanding  my  attention.  Arranged  what  was  neces- 
sary for  the  night  both  at  chambers  and  at  the  theatre.  Mr.  Dow 
called.  The  Duchess  of  St.  Albans  ^  sent  two  guineas  for  two  tickets, 
which  I  did  not  think  worth  while  otherwise  to  notice  than  by  sending 

*  Mary  Ann  Orger,  n^e  Ivers  (1788-1849) ;  connected  for  many  years  with  Drury  Lane  ; 
was  most  successful  in  farcical  pieces. 

'  Formerly  Harriet  Mellon  (i  777-1837)  ;  an  actress  of  some  attractiveness  but  moderate 
capacity;  married  in  1815  Thomas  Coutts  the  banker;  and,  secondly,  the  ninth  Duke  of 
St.  Albans.     Her   first   husband  bequeathed  her   an   enormous  fortune.      A  good -hearted 

41 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

the  messenger  to  the  box  oiBce.  The  day  was  overpoweringly  hot.  I  had 
some  fuss  about  my  dress,  hat,  etc.  Acted  as  well  as  I  could.  Farren 
was  very  flat  and  coarse.  Vestris  pointless  and  vulgar.  Miss  Phillips  ^ 
looked  all  that  the  author  would  have  imagined  of  the  beauty  and 
modesty  of  Maria.  Mr.  Bunn  mentioned  to  me  the  base  conduct  of 
Mr.  Farren,  who,  it  seems,  in  aggravation  of  his  impertinence  in 
advertising  my  name  for  his  benefit  without  my  leave,  contrived  to 
have  me  paragraphed  in  the  newspapers.  Qn.  What  shall  I  do  with 
the  contemptible  blackguard?  I  am  almost  ashamed  to  be  angry  with 
such  a  reptile.  In  order  to  avoid  the  Cav :  Servent :  of  the  prima 
donnas,  I  hurried  to  Catherine's  private  box ;  I  fancied  Malibran  took 
umbrage  at  it,  but  was  perhaps  mistaken.  She  sang  the  "Deep  Sea  " 
in  quite  a  poetical  manner.  She  is  a  creature  of  genius.  And  what 
is  Taglioni  ?  A  realization  of  some  young  poet's  dream  whose  amorous 
fancy  offered  to  his  slumbers  beside  some  stream  or  fountain  the 
nymph  whose  divine  being  consecrated  the  natural  beauty  of  the 
scene.  She  presents  to  me  an  idea  of  the  soul  of  the  Peri  tenanting 
a  woman's  form.  She  looks  wholly  la  Bayadere — and  her  graceful 
pensiveness  is  only  equalled  by  Flaxman's  Pandora.  Our  hired  carriage 
was  not  to  be  found,  and  we  were  obliged  to  send  for  our  own  from 
Lincoln's  Inn  Fields.  It  was  two  o'clock — a  beautiful  twilight  of  sum- 
mer morning — when  we  reached  Elstree.  The  moon  was  in  beauty  in 
the  eastern  sky — the  birds  singing  around  us.  Quite  indisposed  to  bed, 
we  retired  at  three  o'clock. 

June  11th, — My  indisposition,  or  feeling  of  inability  to  rise  this 
morning  was  at  least  equal  to  my  reluctance  to  go  to  bed.  The  wind 
was  high,  even  to  tempest,  occasionally ;  the  hay  cut  yesterday  looked 
very  well,  but  the  rain  has  come  to  place  all  our  hopes  in  jeopardy. 
Walked  in  the  fields  and  garden — is  not  this  better  than  to  have  been 
one  of  the  rout  whose  carriages  and  servants  filled  Portland  Place  last 
night?  Thought  and  talked  upon  Mr.  Bunn's  declaration  that  his 
manifesto  "did  not  apply  to  we."  Looked  over  my  accounts.  All  of 
us  weary  and  languid  and  sleepy  after  yesterday's  gaiety.  The  straps 
of  our  carriage  were  stolen !  The  tempest  to-day  has  been  almost 
alarming ;  the  weariness  and  oppression  among  us  all  extreme.     This 

vulgar  woman,  who,  notwithstanding  her  lavish  entertainments  and  high  rank,   was  not 
generally  accepted  in  society. 

^  Louisa  Anne  Phillips,  a  pleasing  young  actress  who  had  made  some  success  as  Julia 
and  as  the  original  Ida  Stratenheim  in  Werner.  She  joined  Macready's  company  at  Covent 
Garden  in  1839. 

42 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

morning  I  thought  how  comfortable  my  wife,  children,  house  and 
comforts  ought  to  make  me.  I  shall  think  still  further  on  that  vile 
thing,  Mr.  Farren. 

June  l^th. — Answered  Farren's  application  in  the  negative. 
Vining's  ^  doubtfully.  "  Yes  "  to  old  Angelo.^^  Thanks  to  Honble. 
Misses  Hill.  Came  to  town,  leaving  my  hay  to  the  mercy  of  the  elements, 
for  the  rehearsal  and  performance  of  the  Exile  this  evening,  the  closing 
night  of  the  season.  I  took  no  notice  of  Mr.  Farren,  the  chances 
are  that  every  one  would  say  :  "  How  could  you  notice  such  as  ass?  " 
In  a  conversation  with  Mr.  Bunn,  he  seemed  anxious  to  accede  to  all 
my  proposals ;  how  these  preliminaries  will  end  is  a  separate  question. 
A  delightful  rebuke  to  the  self-importance  of  myself  and  Madame 
Vestris  on  Monday  night !  I  imagined,  as  did  Catherine  and  Letitia, 
that  Malibran  was  angry  because  I  did  not  lead  her  on.  It  appears 
there  was  a  dispute  for  precedence  between  her  and  Vestris,  who,  on 
Malibran 's  slipping  on  before  her,  declared  she  would  not  sing  at  all 
— about  which  the  audience  was  quite  indifferent,  never  noticing  the 
omission. 

June  14tth. — Thomas  Dibdin  ^  sent  me  a  letter,  too  humhle  to  he 
pleasant,  of  acknowledgment  for  my  subscription  to  his  work.  Dined 
with  H.  Smith,  and  in  consequence  of  Mr.  Knowles  not  sending  him 
orders  (proh  pudor  ! — the  man  to  whom  he  has  owed  the  bread  he  ate), 
went  with  him  to  the  House  of  Commons.  Was  much  amused.  Gisburne 
and,  I  think,  Aglionby  spoke  well.  E.  Ruthven  cut  a  most  ludicrous 
figure.  Littleton  *  spoke  with  confidence,  but  not  like  a  Secretary  for 
Ireland !  Altogether  it  is  a  great  farce.  How  long  will  the  country 
consent  to  be  amused  with  it? 

June  15t1i. — Received  Mr.  Bunn's  written  proposals ;  if  this  were 
my  first  transaction  with  the  man,  I  should  set  him  down  as  a  shuffling 
fellow.  As  it  is,  he  only  confirms  my  confirmed  opinion  of  him.  Saw 
Farren  at  the  theatre,  who  wanted  to  be  very  friendly,  and  was  evidently 
very  uneasy ;  Cooper,  who  seemed  very  anxious  that  I  should  not  break 

^  James  Vining  (1795-1870) ;  an  actor  of  no  particular  note  ;  his  son,  George  J.  Vining, 
was  a  well-known  Victorian  actor,  connected  at  one  time  with  the  Princess's  theatre. 

*  Henry  Angelo  (1760-1839)  ;  the  famous  fencing-master. 

*  Thomas  John  Dibdin  (1771-1841);  dramatist,  song-writer  and  actor;  wrote  nearly 
2,000  songs  and  about  200  operas  and  plays. 

*  Edward  John  Littleton,  afterwards  first  Lord  Hatherton  (1791-1863).  As  J.  Wal- 
house,  he  was  a  school-friend  of  Macready  at  Rugby.  His  unauthorized  communications 
with  O'Connell  in  1834  led  to  his  resignation  of  the  Irish  Secretaryship.  His  wife,  a  natural 
daughter  of  Lord  Wellesley,  was  one  of  the  most  beautiful  women  of  that  day. 

43 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

off  with  Bunn,  and  P.  Farren,  who  seemed  to  have  an  itching  to  bring 
me  some  overture  from  Morris.  Arrived  at  home  to  see  the  men 
carting  the  last  load  of  hay.     All  well. 

June  11th. — Came  up  to  London  in  company  with  a  very  gentle- 
manly, and  a  very  vulgar  man,  both  of  whom  I  often  meet ;  in  waiting 
at  Brewster's  ^  the  Age  was  put  into  my  hand,  in  which  I  read  some  low 
abuse  of  myself,  probably  suggested  by  Mr.  Bunn ;  it  did  not  long 
annoy  me.  At  my  chambers  after  rehearsal  I  read  Wolsey,  and 
endeavoured  to  satisfy  myself  in  my  answer  to  Mr.  Bunn's  proposal. 
I  could  not  do  it.  My  performance  of  Wolsey  was,  on  the  whole,  the 
best  I  have  ever  given  of  the  part ;  there  is  care  and  concentration  of 
feeling  and  energy  upon  some  of  the  striking  points  particularly  needed  ; 
but  in  the  general  portraiture  there  was  more  freedom,  a  more  natural 
and  yet  more  earnest  delivery,  a  less  stern  and  ascetic  demeanour  and 
appearance  than  I  ever  before  gave  to  it ;  above  all  I  was  in  possession 
of  myself,  and  paused  with  meaning,  and  therefore  with  confidence. 
The  applause  was  great  at  my  entrance  and  final  exit.  I  gave  my  usual 
gratuities  to  the  servants.  Received  notes  of  thanks  from  Messrs. 
Gurney  and  Hussey  about  their  plays,  which  are  rejected.^  Talfourd  ^ 
came  to  my  room,  highly  pleased  with  the  performance,  and  after  going 
to  the  Temple,  returned  to  sup  with  me. 

June  ISth. — Began  the  day  in  bed  by  reflecting  on  my  last  night's 
performance,  and  cogitating  on  the  best  mode  of  proceeding  with 
Mr.  Bunn.  In  calling  at  Drury  Lane  for  my  account,  saw  Serle,  with 
whom  I  had  much  talk  on  the  memorial  for  a  third  theatre,  which  he 
had  just  signed.  His  arguments  on  the  reduction  of  rent  were  quite 
just,  but  did  not  seem  to  me  to  justify  the  measure  they  are  pursuing. 
Appointed  a  meeting  with  Dunn  for  to-morrow.  Mr.  Bunn  not  in  the 
theatre.  Wrote  to  Mason  and  to  Walker  on  the  subject  of  the  latter 's 
visit.  Went  to  the  Temple,  and  embarked  with  Dow  in  a  fast  sailing- 
gig  on  a  very  intricate  navigation — arrived  at  Camberwell.  Made 
myself  quite  comfortable  and  at  home  in  my  new  friend  Dow's  house. 
Spent  a  quiet,  pleasant  day — the  good  of  human  nature  is  always 
agreeable. 

^  Macready's  hairdresser  and  wigmaker. 

^  Macready  was  always  studiously  considerate  and  polite  to  playwrights,  however  unknown 
and  insignificant,  though  at  times  he  was  sorely  tried  by  them. 

^  Thomas  Noon  Talfourd  (1795-1854);  lawyer  and  man  of  letters,  attaining  considerable 
reputation  in  both  capacities.  Serjeant-at-Law  in  1833.  Judge  in  1849.  Died  suddenly 
while  charging  the  Grand  Jury  at  Stafford.  Author  of  /on,  produced  by  Macready  with  marked 
success. 

44 


1833]  THE    DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

June  19th. — After  a  disturbed  night  in  my  strange  bed  I  was 
shown  something  of  the  locale  and  live  stock  of  my  kind  host,  and 
driven  by  him  to  town,  with  the  promise  of  a  pair  of  laying  fowls. 
Arrived  tired  and  lanquid !  Set  out  shopping  with  Letty,  who  was 
waiting  for  me.  Returning,  I  first  sought  vainly  for  Mr.  Dunn  and 
then  successfully  for  Mr.  Bunn.  I  found  him  installed  at  C.  G.  He 
seemed  confused  when  told  I  did  not  understand  his  note.  He  talked 
much,  but  "not  to  the  purpose."  I  conceded  the  point  of  benefit, 
but  remained  inflexible  on  payment  while  in  town,  play  or  no  play. 
After  a  long  and  interrupted  conference  he  agreed  to  all — £30  per 
week  for  200  consecutive  nights  at  D.  L. — the  option  resting  with  me 
to  play  or  not  at  C.  G.  Saw  The  Wife;  disappointed  in  E.  Tree; 
much  to  praise,  but  much  exception  to  make ;  her  voice,  sometimes 
unpleasant,  not  always  distinct,  is  subject  to  abrupt,  artificial  transi- 
tion ;  but  she  has  the  materiel  of  the  best  actress  on  the  stage.  E.  Tree 
has  seen  Miss  Kemble  ^  to  her  own  disadvantage.  Ward  was  very  bad. 
Bennett  but  middling.  Abbott  bad.  C.  Kean,  with  the  promise  of 
something  good,  often  came  near  to  pleasing  me  much.  Knowles — was 
Knowles ;  raw,  energetic,  harsh,  but  with  mind  and  purpose,  badly  and 
bluntly  expressed,  that  gave  interest  to  his  performance ;  but  he  is  no 
artist,  nor,  in  my  opinion,  can  he  ever  be  such. 

June  21. st. — The  day  was  beautiful,  the  garden  and  lawn  were 
delightful  to  me,  and  the  presence  of  my  wife  and  children  made  me 
feel  that  there  are  moments  and  hours  of  bliss  even  here.  "  What  is 
the  world  to  us.  Its  pomps,  its  pleasures,  and  its  nonsense  all  ?  " 
Contrasting  the  sky  above  me,  "the  glory  of  the  grass,  the  splendour 
of  the  flower,"  with  the  recollection  of  the  gilt-bedaubed  guards,  the 
plumed  women,  the  tumult  of  spectators,  I  could  not  help  feeling  the 
difference  of  the  joys  that  belong  to  a  town  and  country  life.  Catherine 
and  I  took  down  the  dogs  to  the  reservoir,  found  the  boat  injured  by 
some  blackguard  boys  from  Stanmore,  but  enjoyed  a  delightful  row 
upon  the  water. 

June  9,9,nd. — Went  to  town  in  the  carriage,  called  on  Lord  Lyttleton ' 

^  Frances  Anne  Kemble,  afterwards  Mrs.  Butler  ( 1809-1893);  daughter  of  Charles  Kemble, 
generally  known  as  "  Fanny  Kemble  "  ;  a  gifted  but  somewhat  unequal  actress ;  also  wrote 
dramas  and  poems.  She  and  her  sister  Adelaide  (Mrs.  Sartoris)  were  much  sought  after  in 
cultured  society. 

^  William  Ilenry,  third  Baron  Lyttelton  of  the  second  creation  (i 782-1837)  ;  Whig 
politician  and  eloquent  speaker.  Macready's  animus  against  the  aristocracy,  which  constantly 
asserts  itself  throughout  the  Diaries,  appears  in  this  instance  to  have  rather  sought  for  a 
cause  of  complaint. 

45 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1883 

at  Lord  Spencer's.     Shown  into  the  small  library,  where  were  many 

editions  of  the  classics.    Lord  L came  down,  apologizing  for  his  delay  ; 

I  asked  of  him  the  favour  of  presenting  W.  Birch  at  court  previous  to 
his  going  abroad ;  after  answering  his  various  inquiries  respecting  the 
condition,  residence,  etc.,  of  W.B.,he  assented,  and  engaged  to  accom- 
pany him  on  third  July.     Lord  L is  really  a  good-natured  man ; 

but  although  he  apologized  for  delaying  me,  invited  me  to  Hagley,  and 
consented  to  introduce  my  kinsman,  yet  from  his  allowing  me,  who  had 
been  his  guest  more  than  once,  to  be  shown  into  a  lower  room,  from 
which  he,  after  some  conversation,  asked  me  to  walk  into  the  drawing- 
room — from  the  business  that  he  appeared  to  make  of  the  affair,  and 
some  etceteras  observable  even  in  him,  one  of  the  very  best  of  "  his 
order,"  I  am  inclined  to  think  aristocratic  titles  incompatible  with  that 
lowliness  of  heart  which  man,  to  be  just  to  his  fellow-creatures  and 
himself,  must  preserve. 

June  9nth. — Received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Cooper  calling  on  me  to 
play  to-morrow  night  at  D.  L.  This  is  another  instance  of  the  roguery 
of  Captain  P ,  alias  Mr.  Bunn ;  also  one  from  Miss  Strickland,^  wish- 
ing to  have  assistance  in  reading  Shakspeare.  Continued  to  make  up 
arrears.  Walked  to  Edgeware,  and  took  Doug's  coach  to  Duke  Street. 
Met  at  dinner  with  Mason  a  Mr.  Gretton,  and  a  Dr.  Elwin  and  son ; 
the  doctor  seemed  to  me  a  person  of  more  pretension  than  actual  title 
to  respect — coxcombical  and  superficial.  Mason  and  I  had  some  con- 
versation on  religion,  when  left  alone,  which  much  interested  me.  The 
more  I  hear  or  see  of  sects,  i.  e.  the  endeavour  of  individuals  to  flatter 
their  own  opinions  by  gaining  assent  to  them  among  men,  instead  of 
attempting  to  reconcile  them  to  God — the  more  I  see  the  prudence 
of  placing  morality  before  religion. 

June  28f7i. — My  first  visit  to-day  was  to  the  British  Gallery,  where 
I  had  the  pleasure  of  looking  at  some  of  the  masterpieces  of  Sir  Joshua, 
his  own  portrait  in  spectacles  (equal  to  any  in  my  opinion),  the  mar- 
vellous expression  of  the  Ugolino,  Dido,  Iphigenitty  Infant  Samuel, 
Fortune-teller,  Dr.  Johnson,  Rodney,  Keppel,  Dyer,  Nelly  O'Brien, 
Chancellor  Lifford,  and  several  other  pictures,  gave  me  great  pleasure. 
My  judgment  would  point  out  few  of  Lawrence's,  besides  the  heads 
of  young  Napoleon  and  himself.  Lady  Blessington  and  Kemble. 
West  *  I  cannot  like ;  to  great  painters  he  stands  among  the  mediocre ; 

^  Agnes  Strickland  (1796-1874) ;  the  well-known  historian. 

*  Benjamin  West,  R.A.   (1738-1820);  much  patronized   by  George   III.     Best  known 
by  the  picture  of  the  Death  of  Wolfe,  now  in  the  National  Collection. 

46 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

his  Mentor  and  Telemachus  pleased  me  as  much  as  any  of  his 
selection. 

June  29th. — At  the  Exhibition  this  morning  (my  first  business)  saw 
a  person  who  appeared  to  know  me ;  I  neglected  to  ascertain  whether 
he  did  or  did  not — a  neglect  that  was  not  courteous,  and  might  make 
an  enemy  of  one  who  was  inclined  friendlily.  Bad !  Much  to  please 
me.  Wilkie's  Confessional^  Collins's  Stray  Kitten,  Landseer's  Jack-in- 
office,  Mulready's  First  Voyage,  all  good.  Etty,  Callcott,  Turner  and 
others  have  beautiful  specimens  of  the  high  state  of  English  art.  The 
newspapers  instruct  us  farther  in  the  indecorous  and  indecent  conduct 
of  the  House  of  Commons,  disgusting  us  with  the  ignorant  impatience 
they  exhibit  as  reasoners  upon  a  nation's  welfare.  Pleased  with  the 
Water-colour  Exhibition,  the  most  equal  collection  among  the  London 
galleries.  Suffolk  Street  shows  great  improvement,  and  gives  promise 
of  much  more.  The  Panorama  of  Antwerp  interested  me  as  the  repre- 
sentation of  a  siege ;  but  Niagara  is  a  failure.  There  is  no  distance, 
vastness,  effect  of  colour — nothing.  I  almost  felt  indignant  at  the 
artist's  presumption.  It  confirms  my  opinion  of  the  impossibility  to 
paint  or  describe  this  sublimest  phenomenon  of  nature.  Met  Knowles 
at  the  Garrick  Club  ;  his  son  is  not  going  on  well ;  do  I  notice  this  from 
Rochefoucauld's  motive  of  satisfaction  at  our  acquaintance's  mishaps? 
I  fear,  if  I  search,  I  shall  find  it  so.  'Tis  unworthy  a  thinking  man. 
I  paid  Knowles  some  comparative  compliments  on  his  acting ;  he  pleased 
himself  with  the  unascertained  quantity  of  praise  contained  in  ray 
words.  Met  Vining,  with  whom  I  settled  the  terms  of  a  Brighton 
engagement.  Called  at  the  theatre,  and  am  to  see  Dunn  next  week. 
Dined  with  Talfourd,  where  Catherine  and  Letty  met  me.  We  spent 
a  very  cheerful  day ;  in  the  evening  Leigh  Hunt  ^  came  in,  whom  I  was 
curious  to  see,  and  gratified  in  meeting.  Our  conversation  was  chiefly 
theatrical ;  we  seemed  to  part  mutually  good  friends.  I  returned  with 
Catherine  and  Letitia  in  the  carriage  to  Elstree. 

July  2nd. — I  read  Coleridge's  Christahel,  which,  though  rich  in  the 
dress  of  poetical  language,  and  stirring  the  heart  with  the  thrill  of 
expectation,  yet  leaves  little  impression  on  the  mind.  Read  some 
passages  from  Milton  aloud  as  a  double  exercise;  also  four  acts  of 
Serle's  tragedy  of  ^thelgiva,  which  is  beneath  every  other  attempt  he 
has  made.  Dunstan  in  love  is  too  patent  an  improbability  for  the 
historical  reader. 

1  James  Henry  Leigh  Hunt  (1784-1859) ;  the  well-known  author  and  poet  of  the 
"Cockney"  school. 

47 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

July  Srd. — Began  my  day,  after  a  very  disturbed  night,  with  the 
discovery  of  a  sore  throat  and  lounging  about  the  garden  with  my 
children.  Received  letters  from  Talfourd  declining  invitation,  and 
George.  Wrote  to  Gaspey.  Read  the  last  act  of  /^thelgiva,  and 
wrote  to  Serle  upon  it,  declaring  my  opinion  of  its  feebleness;  wrote 
to  Mr.  Grainger  for  instructions  on  his  play.  Looked  through  a  guide 
to  Padua  for  materials  for  a  Keepsake  article :  am  apprehensive  that  I 
shall  not  be  able  to  satisfy  myself  with  it ;  looked  into  Duppa's  ^ 
Travels,  and  Landscape  Annual,  for  the  same  purpose.  Walked  in 
the  garden,  and  watched  the  bees. 

July  6th. — Began  to  read  in  bed  Voltaire's  Adelaide  du  Guesclin. 
Wrote  a  letter  in  reply  to  Mr.  Bunn,  which  I  am  now  doubtful  of 
sending.  The  less  a  man  writes  the  better.  The  old  Irish  saying  has 
much  truth — "  When  the  devil  has  a  spite  against  a  man,  he  sticks 
a  pen  in  his  hand."  Wrote  to  Fanny  Twiss  a  brief  answer  to  her 
selfish  letter,  in  which  she  declines  not  only  seeing,  but  even  inquiring 
about  a  school  for  her  nephew  Arthur.  I  noticed  in  it  the  rude  and 
ungentlemanly  conduct  of  her  brother  Horace.^ 

July  lih. — In  the  newspaper  was  much  struck  with  the  grand 
appropriation  of  Lord  Grey's  expression  of  '*  standing  by  his 
order,"  which  Mr.  Brotherton  ^  made  in  the  debate  on  the  Fac- 
tory Bill,  declaring  himself  to  have  been  employed  in  the  factories 
till  sixteen — pitying  the  children,  and  resolving  to  '*  stand  by  his 
order." 

July  Sth. — Called  at  Covent  Garden  theatre  on  Bunn — saw  Mr. 
Cooper,  who  goes  to  Liverpool,  where  therefore  I  shall  not  go  this 
season.  Bunn  agreed  to  every  clause  I  mentioned  of  my  engagement, 
exemption  from  fine,  etc.  He  told  me  much  of  Farren's  and  Knowles's 
absurdity.  I  promised  to  send  him  Antony  and  Cleopatra  and  Maid^s 
Tragedy. 

July  9th. — Began  with  alacrity  to  make  the  most  of  what  would  be 
allowed  me  of  the  day.  In  reading  the  Examiner  was  struck  with  a 
quotation  from  Bentham ;  speaking  of  the  people  he  says  :  "  They  have 
not  that  pride  which  keeps  men  from  getting  better."     I  attentively 

^  Richard  Duppa  (1770-1831) ;  artist  and  miscellaneous  writer. 

*  Horace  Twiss  (1787-1849)  ;  lawyer,  politician  and  journalist,  K.C.,  M.P.  ;  held  minor 
offices  in  the  Administrations  of  Lord  Liverpool  and  the  Duke  of  Wellington.  Nephew  of 
Mrs.  Siddons  and  John  and  Charles  Kemble.  A  good  though  somewhat  dogmatic  talker, 
and  one  of  the  recognized  wits  of  the  day.  His  dinners  to  celebrities  are  frequently 
mentioned  in  contemporary  Diaries  and  Reminiscences. 

'  Joseph  Brotherton,  M.P.  (1783-1857);  manufacturer  and  social  reformer. 

48 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

revised  and  corrected  two  acts  of  the  Bridal,^  and  finished  the  perusal 
of  a  tragedy  called  the  Countess  of  Provence  y  sent  to  me  yesterday  by 
a  Mr.  Sulivan,  whom  I  had  known  some  eight  or  nine  years  ago  in 
London.  There  is  much  merit  in  it,  and  I  should  recommend  its  trial, 
but  am  not  confident  of  its  success.  How  events  seem  to  arise  in  this 
world  to  deride  our  foresight  and  expedients ! 

July  10th. — My  mind  feels  fatigued  after  suffering  the  society 
of  men  whose  tastes  and  ideas  differ  so  widely  from  my  own  as  those 
of  my  guests.  I  was  relieved  by  the  departure  of  Mr.  Gaspey — a  man 
whose  kindliness  of  heart  I  really  esteem,  and  whose  other  good 
qualities  have  my  respect,  but  whose  manners  and  conversation  shock 
me.  Wrote  a  laudatory  note  to  Mr.  Sulivan  on  his  play.  Resumed 
the  revision  and  correction  of  the  Bridal,  which  occupied  me,  as  far 
as  I  was  employed,  during  the  remainder  of  the  day.  Enjoyed  the 
beauty  of  the  day,  and  the  sight  and  society  of  my  dear  wife  and 
children.  I  feel  that  there  is  a  want  of  completeness  in  the  Bridal, 
which  shakes  my  confidence  in  its  success.  Many  of  the  scenes  are 
excellent,  but  there  is  not  that  singleness  of  interest  throughout  so 
necessary  to  great  triumphs. 

July  12th. — After  looking  at  the  workmen  about  the  house  and 
in  the  field,  resumed  my  study  of  Lear,  the  difficulty  of  which  does 
not  yet  diminish  before  my  attempts ;  studied  in  practice  parts  of 
Hamlet  and  Antony  in  the  drawing-room.  I  ought  to  have  begun 
this  as  the  season  closed,  while  my  mind  was  active  in  thinking  upon 
different  characters — from  disuse  and  relaxation  labour  becomes  harder 
and  the  faculties  duller.  To  stop  is  to  lose  ground — most  men  in  this 
world  have  to  pull  against  a  stream  ;  at  some  period  of  their  lives,  all — 
I  must  work  hard ;  in  an  interval  of  study  I  was  playing  with  my  little 
Willie,  and  the  sight  of  him  gave  a  spur  to  my  work. 

July    nth. — Saw    Reynolds,    as    usual    humorous,     shrewd    and 

indecent.     After  further  business,  snatched  an  uncomfortable  dinner 

at  the  Garrick  Club.     Went  to  Drury  Lane  to  see  Paganini  ^  ;  foolishly 

allowed  myself  to  be  angry  at  the  door-keeper's  obstinacy,  refusing  me 

passage.     Dignity  is  only  truly  displayed  in  coolness.     Passion  is  the 

snare  of  reason.     Saw  Paganini ;   his  power  over  his  instrument  is 

surprising ;  the  tones  he  draws  from  it  might  be  thought  those  of  the 

sweetest  flageolet  and  hautboy,  and  sometimes  of  the  human  voice ; 

the  expression  he  gives  to  a  common  air  is  quite  charming.    His  playing 

^  Adapted  by  Macready,  Knowles  adding  three  scenes,  from  Beaumont  and  Fletcher's 
Maid's  Tragedy,  produced  at  Dublin  in  the  following  year. 

*  Nicolo  Paganini  {1784-1840).     He  was  then  visiting  England  for  the  first  time. 
VOL.  I.  E  40 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

of  Patrick's  Day  was  the  sweetest  piece  of  instrumental  music  I  ever 
heard,  but  he  is  a  quack. 

July  18th. — Got  a  seat  to  Edgware,  and  on  my  way  read  the  debate 
in  the  Lords  on  the  Irish  Church  Bill.  It  is  irritating,  as  a  degrada- 
tion to  human  nature,  to  see  the  weal  of  millions  subjected  to  the  nod 
of  the  imbecile  wretches  who  inherit  the  office  of  law-givers  in  that 
House.  Who  would  not,  that  could,  be  the  Samson  to  crush  them  at  one 
effort  once  and  for  ever  ?  Delighted  to  feel  myself  at  home  once  more, 
to  look  upon  my  wife  and  children.  After  looking  over  the  premises, 
and  settling  some  affairs,  I  resumed  my  reading  and  practice  of  Lear, 
in  which  I  begin  to  think  I  feel  myself  advancing.  I  saw  in  Paganini 
last  night  a  striking  illustration  of  Locke's  arguments  on  the  effect 
of  perseverance,  and  I  will  try  to  force  myself  to  work. 

July  20th. — Much  better  to-day;  received  a  letter  from  Reynolds 
on  the  subject  of  my  two  alterations  of  Antony  and  Cleopatra  and 
Maid's  Tragedy.  Our  tastes  in  the  construction  of  plays  so  differ, 
that  it  is  not  a  surprise  to  me  to  learn  his  disapproval  of  them — nor 
is  it  in  the  smallest  degree  an  annoyance ;  he  looks  at  them  with  an  eye 
to  their  chance  of  profit,  and  in  that  regard  his  judgment  is  probably 
correct. 

July  21st. — Was  delighted  to  hear  in  bed  the  little  improvised 
song  of  my  Nina,  mentioning  her  fault  of  yesterday,  and  promising  to 
love  her  little  brother.  God  bless  the  darling !  After  dinner  had  an 
argument  with  Mr.  Dow,  in  which  I  took  exception  to  the  unqualified 
eulogy  he  passed  on  Buchanan's  character.  This  is  an  unamiable  part 
to  take,  and  likely  to  bring  in  question  my  sense  of  justice.  I  fear  it 
originates  in  an  impatience  of  others'  praise,  which  annoys  me  to 
believe  existent  in  myself.  I  fear  I  am  envious ;  and  although  I  could 
not  be  led  thereby  to  any  offence  against  justice,  yet  the  vice  is  wear- 
ing, degrading,  and  disturbing  to  the  mind.  I  must  endeavour  to 
eradicate  it. 

July  22nd. — Heard  news  of  the  Theatre  Bill  ^  to  be  passed — the 
conceited  ignorant  fools !  Was  glad  of  a  motive  to  get  me  earlier  than 
usual  out  of  bed ;  saw  my  wife,  sister  and  party  of  visitors  off  to  town ; 
like  Dow  very  much ;  he  is  downright  and  hearty.  Heard  the  children 
their  lessons.  Gave  my  morning  to  the  study  of  Lear,  and  practised 
a  little  of  Othello.     When  I  look  at  my  children  I  think  how  little  1 

^  Presumably  Bulwer's  Bill,  which  was  afterwards  thrown  out  of  the  House  of  Lords. 
In  principle  it  was  against  the  "monopoly"  theatres,  and  should  therefore  have  met  with 
Macready's  approval,  but  as  he  was  contemplating  management  at  Covent  Garden  (one  of 
those  theatres),  the  Bill  would    f  course  have  seriously  affected  his  interests. 

50 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

have  deserved  the  blessings  that  are  heaped  upon  me — I  wish  to  deserve 
them.  In  looking  again  to-night  at  the  comforts  around  me,  house, 
garden,  country,  etc.,  I  cannot  repress  my  gratitude  for  the  bounty 
that  out  of  nothing  has  given  me  so  much. 

July  23rd. — Received  letter  from  Serle,  written  on  the  fly-sheet  of 
a  circular  from  the  Society  of  Dramatic  Authors ;  how  easy  it  is  to 
legislate  for  one  side  of  a  question,  and  how  weak  and  ineffectual  is 
such  legislation !  This  Bill  in  my  opinion  will  be  as  impotent  in  its 
operation  as  it  is  unjust  and  partial  in  principle.  Serle  seems  to  have 
lost  his  head  in  the  success  of  these  his  schemes ;  he  is  a  most  amiable 
man  and  a  very  pretty  poet,  but  Acts  of  Parliament  will  neither  make 
him  a  more  powerful  writer  nor  more  skilful  actor ;  his  profit  there- 
fore will  be  much  what  it  now  is,  or  would  have  been.  Gave  several 
hours  to  Lear.  Wrote  to  Reynolds,  maintaining  my  opinion  on 
Antony  and  Cleopatra. 

July  24f/i. — Last  night  I  finished  Voltaire's  Play  of  Adelaide  du 
Guesclin,  which  has  little  ingenuity  of  plot,  no  extraordinary  power  or 
beauty  of  language,  and  not  much  felicity  in  its  situations.  The  ful- 
some compliments  to  the  Bourbons  have  made  more  impression  on  my 
memory  than  any  other  passages.  On  rising  this  morning  I  looked 
after  some  matters  in  the  fields  and  about  the  premises,  and  afterwards 
took  up  my  usual  study  of  Lear  and  Hamlet's  soliloquy.  Finished 
the  perusal  of  Sardanapalus,  which  for  the  fourth  time,  I  think,  I  have 
examined  on  its  capabilities  for  undergoing  adaptation.  It  might 
have  been  an  acting  play,  but  it  is  too  monotonous,  passionless  and 
devoid  of  action,  I  fear,  to  satisfy  an  English  audience.  My  whole 
evening  has  been  spent  in  revolving  the  possibility  of  turning  it  to  a 
representable  form,  and  of  considering  the  effect  of  his  other  plays. 
I  reluctantly  conclude  upon  abandoning  the  hope  of  them.  We 
purchased  a  new  cow  to-day,  a  very  interesting  event  in  our 
farmyard. 

July  25f/i. — Last  night  I  began  in  bed  the  Mariamne  of  Voltaire. 
Suffered  myself  to  lose  two  hours  this  morning,  which  I  cannot  now 
afford.  After  my  customary  walk  in  the  garden,  sat  down  to  the 
consideration  of  the  mad  scenes  of  Lear;  I  have  much  to  do  with  it 
yet ;  was  not  so  persevering  to-day  as  I  should  have  been.  Went  with 
my  servant,  Green,  to  the  reservoir  to  clean  my  boat ;  had  much 
trouble  in  getting  to  her ;  afterwards  rowed  for  a  short  time  with 
Catherine  and  I^etitia ;  the  day  was  most  beautiful ;  if  I  can  enjoy  the 
beauty  of  this  country  and  the  comforts  of  this  residence,  putting  by 
a  property  for  my  dear  children,  I  shall  have  reason  to  be  most  grateful 
E2  51 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

to  Almighty  God.  After  walking  about  the  premises  I  turned  over 
the  leaves  of  Massinger's  plays,  in  the  faint  hope  of  finding  some  con- 
vertible material,  *'  but  I  find  none,  sir."  Must  make  more  use  of  my 
time,  as  my  classical  reading  is  fading  from  me. 

July  9,6th. — Called  on  Reynolds ;  from  thence  to  Jonathan  Birch's, 
where  I  saw  Mrs.  Walter,  and  invited  her  here.  Jonathan  met  me  in 
Russell  Square,  and,  taking  me  back,  detained  me  an  hour  with  letters 
and  relations  about  William.  On  leaving  me  he  presented  me  with 
a  finger ;  this  is  either  unintentional  ill-breeding  or  gross  impertinence. 

I  shall  return  the  compliment No ;  another's  rudeness  or  insolence 

is  no  warrant  for  my  adoption  of  the  same  offensive  practices.  Dined 
with  Reynolds;  heard  that  Lord  Castlereagh,^  on  being  asked  by 
Bunn  to  oppose  Bulwer's  theatrical  Bill,  asked :  "  Bulwer !  oh !  he's  a 
low  fellow,  is  he  not?  " 

July  91th. — Read  Lear^  with  scarcely  any  practice  (the  weather 
was  so  hot)  for  two  hours ;  made  the  alteration,  judiciously  suggested 
by  Reynolds,  in  Antony  and  Cleopatra^  and  wrote  a  note  enclosing  it 
to  him ;  wrote  to  Dr.  Woodroffe  and  to  George. 

July  9Sth. — I  have  begun  more  seriously  this  month  to  apply  to  the 
study  of  my  profession,  impelled  by  the  necessity  which  the  present 
state  of  the  drama  creates.  I  do  not  feel  that  I  have  the  talent  to 
recall  attention  to  an  art  from  which  amusement  cannot  be  drawn  but 
by  an  exertion  of  the  intellect.  The  age  is  too  indolent  in  part,  and 
in  part  too  highly  cultivated.  But  while  I  see  the  desperate  condition 
to  which,  at  this  late  period  of  my  life,  my  profession  is  reduced,  I 
am  not  thereby  inclined  to  let  my  spirits  sink  under  the  disheartening 
prospect.  To  do  my  best  is  still  my  duty  to  myself  and  to  my  children, 
and  I  will  do  it.  I  will  contend  while  there  is  ground  to  stand  on — 
even  with  neglect,  the  bitterest  antagonist,  and  I  will  try  to  merit 
honours,  if  I  cannot  obtain  them.  I  have  resumed  my  classics,  to  keep 
myself  prepared  for  the  education  of  my  boy. 

July  31st. — Wrote  to  make  an  appointment  with  Bunn,  walked  in 
the  garden  and  gave  orders  to  the  workmen.  Resumed  the  counsel 
of  Artabanus  to  Xerxes  in  Herodotus,  the  simplicity  of  whose  style 

*  Eldest  son  of  the  third  Marquis  of  Londonderry  and  nephew  of  the  statesman,  the 
second  Marquis.  He  dabbled  in  music  and  was  a  conspicuous  admirer  of  Grisi,  which 
involved  him  in  a  duel  with  her  first  husband,  M.  de  Melcy.  His  contemptuous  comments 
on  Bulwer  proved  him  to  be  a  true  son  of  his  father,  probably  the  most  preposterously 
arrogant  peer  of  the  day.  In  point  of  fact,  Bulwer  was  of  quite  as  good  family  as  Lord 
Castlereagh,  whose  grandfather  but  little  more  than  forty  years  before  was  an  Irish  Commoner 
who  owed  nearly  every  one  of  his  many  steps  in  the  peen^e  to  his  son's  political  influence. 

52 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

delights  rae ;  returned  to  Cicero,  De  Oratore,  which  I  take  up  chiefly 
as  an  exercise.  Gave  three  hours  of  attentive  practice  and  reading  to 
Lear — touching  on  Antony,  Hamlet  and  Othello.  I  fancy,  and  hope 
I  do  not  deceive  myself,  that  I  perceive  improvement  in  my  manner. 
Walked  with  Lydia  and  dear  Catherine  to  Lechmere  Heath,  and  after- 
wards to  the  reservoir.  Who  ought  to  be  contented,  if  I,  with  so 
much  to  enjoy,  and  so  great  a  spirit  of  enjoyment,  cannot  make  myself 
so  ?    How  much  have  I  to  be  grateful  for  I 

August  1st. — Before  setting  off  for  town  to  meet  Mr.  Bunn  on 
business  I  read  some  lines  of  Herodotus,  and  tried  to  think  of  Lear 
as  we  drove  along.     Found,   on  reaching   my  chambers,   that  there 

had  been  some  omission  of  duty  in  the  care  of  my  note  to  Mr.  B , 

and  that  I  could  not  expect  to  see  him.  Gave  Brewster  directions 
about  Lear's  coiffure;  and,  waiting  for  Bunn's  note,  read  a  little  of 
the  De  Officiis.  From  my  chambers  went  to  the  Garrick  Club,  met 
Fladgate,^  who  showed  me  Bulwer's  retaliation  on  Mr.  Westmacott,^ 
which  immediately  recalled  to  me  some  excellent  remarks  on  anger, 
which  I  found  in  Cicero  this  morning ;  met  Abbott,  J.  H.  Reynolds,^ 
Barham  *  ;  looked  in  Hamilton  Smith's  ^  Costume  for  a  dress  for  Lear ; 
found  what  I  wished.  Called  on  Reynolds,  met  Bunn  and  Dunn,  who 
had  been  beating  up  for  Lords'  votes  against  tlie  Theatres'  Bill. 

August  3rd. — After  my  garden  walk  (in  which  I  felt  the  comfort 
of  my  health,  and  the  pleasure  of  feeling  "  the  chartered  wind  to  be 
free  to  blow  against  me  ")  I  betook  myself  to  Herodotus,  whose  manner 
and  matter  delight  me  in  their  simplicity  and  wisdom.  Read  a  little 
Homer,  and  pursued  my  study  of  Cicero,  who  tells  us  how  very  rare 
in  his  day  were  even  tolerable  actors ;  it  seems  that  the  scarcity  has 
been  of  all  time. 

August  4ith. — In  looking  steadfastly  at  the  comforts  I  possess,  I 
am  convicted  of  equal  folly  and  ingratitude  when  occasionally  I  permit 
reflections  on  particular  advantages  possessed  by  others  or  on  the 
imagined  slights  cast  upon  myself,  to  assume  the  appearance  of  dis- 
content, or  to  cast  a  shade  across  the  sunshine  which  the  bounty  of  the 
Almighty  has  shed  upon  my  heart.  I  am  led  to  this  observation  by 
some  extracts  from  Bulwer's  book,  which  I  read  in  the  Spectator  this 

'  An  eminent  solicitor  much  interested  in  theatrical  matters. 

*  The  editor  of  the  A^e  (see  note,  p.  20). 

'  John  Hamilton  Reynolds  (1796-1852)  ;  poet  and  friend  of  Keats. 

*  The  Revd.  Richard  Harris  Barham  (1788-1845)  ;  author  of  Tie  Ingoldsby  Legends. 

*  Colonel  Hamilton  Smith,  an  authority  on  historical  costumes.     Macready  frequently 
enlisted  his  aid  and  entertained  a  great  regard  for  him. 

53 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

morning.  Letters  from  Best  on  business,  and  Reynolds  announcing  the 
defeat  of  the  Dramatic  Performances  Bill.^ 

August  6th. — Received  a  notification  this  day  from  Reynolds  of 
Bunn's  intention  to  act  my  version  of  Antony  and  Cleopatra;  heard 
also  of  Bunn's  hostile  correspondence  with  Bulwer,  and  reflected  on 
Bulwer's  recommendation  of  kicking  as  a  cure  for  calumny.  I  look 
calmly  and  dispassionately  on  the  irrationality  of  such  reprisals.  The 
character  for  manly  spirit  is  not  wanted  where  the  virtue  exists;  it 
is  like  the  loaded  gun,  if  touched  in  the  right  place  you  will  soon  be 
made  sensible  of  the  danger  you  incur.  Where  you  can  disprove  a 
falsehood,  do  it  as  placidly  as  if  in  the  cause  of  abstract  truth — your 
end  is  obtained.  Where  an  insult  is  offered  you  by  an  unworthy  person, 
your  best  triumph  is  in  an  exhibition  of  utter  indifference ;  the  sting 
is  harmless,  if  the  flesh  it  wounds  is  not  in  an  inflammatory  state. ^ 
My  professional  practice  of  Antony  and  Lear  was  very  loose  and 
unsatisfactory.  Worked  in  garden  till  dinner  :  walked  there  afterwards. 
Read  some  pages  of  Cicero — read  Examiner.  Read  the  character  of 
Antony  through  :  it  is  not  very  powerful. 

August  12th. — I  finished  the  chapter  of  Thucydides'  account  of 
the  ancient  Greeks,  and  read  in  Homer  the  battle  array  of  the  Myrmi- 
dons, and  Achilles'  exhortation,  which  is  abrupt  and  stirring. 
Practised  Lear,  which  I  feel  to  be  a  benefit.  After  tea,  went  over  the 
words  of  Lear,  Catherine  holding  the  book,  whereby  I  discovered 
how  much  I  have  yet  to  think  of  in  the  part,  and  how  much  to  practise 
of  that  already  thought  upon,  to  arrive  at  any  moderate  degree  of 
confidence ;  remained  thinking  on  the  part  afterwards.  Must  give 
more  attention  still,  and  with  it  all,  I  fear,  I  never  can  produce  a 
finished  performance.^ 

London,  August  15th. — Arranged  my  stage  clothes,  and  packed  up 
what  was  ready  for  my  tour.  Saw  J.  Palmer,  and  gave  orders  for 
beard  and  Lear's  dress.     Met  Jerdan,  and  agreed  to  stay  and  dine 

In  1832  Bulwer  had,  in  the  House  of  Commons,  attacked  the  monopolies  of  the  patent 
theatres,  Drury  Lane  and  Covent  Garden.  On  his  motion  a  Select  Committee  was 
appointed  to  investigate  the  subject,  and  the  Committee  reported  that  the  monopolies  of 
Drury  Lane  and  Covent  Garden  had  "  neither  preserved  the  dignity  of  the  drama,"  nor 
"been  of  direct  advantage  to  the  monopolists  themselves."  It  considered  that  the  number 
of  theatres  should  be  determined  by  the  demand  for  theatrical  performances,  and  that  the 
Lord  Chamberlain  should  cease  to  administer  a  system  of  monopoly.  Bulwer  introduced  a 
Bill  to  give  effect  to  the  Committee's  report,  but  it  was  thrown  out  by  the  House  of  Lords  in 
1833  and  again  in  1834. 

*  Excellent  precepts,  which  unfortunately  Macready  tailed  to  put  into  practice  on  a 
memorable  occasion  a  little  later  in  his  career. 

'  I>ear  was  considered  in  after  years  to  be  on  the  whole  Macready's  greatest  performance. 

54 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

with  him  at  the  Garrick  and  go  to  the  Victoria.  This  day  I  wrote  a 
short  statement  of  my  wish  as  to  the  disposal  of  my  property  after  my 
death,  which  will  serve  for  my  will  until  I  can  have  a  better  made 
out.  Dined  with  Jerdan  and  Captain  Williams,  whom  I  invited  on 
Wednesday  next  to  Elstree.  Went  with  them  to  the  Victoria  theatre 
— a  very  pretty  salUf  and  well  appointed — but  Warde's  ^  acting  was 
the  most  elaborate  defiance  of  nature  and  taste  I  ever  witnessed.  At 
the  Victoria  theatre  I  saw  Mr.  Keeley  ^  and  Miss  Garrick  :  why  did 
I  not  speak  to  them?  it  was  not  pride,  but  a  false  shame  which  is 
always  taken  for  it,  and  does  the  exhibitor  equal  injury. 

August  18th. — Have  received  answers  to  my  invitations  from  Dunn, 
Cooper  and  Planche ;  ^  the  two  first  not  coming,  the  latter  doubtful. 

August  20th. — Went  to  the  drawing-room,  resolute  to  give  the 
whole  morning — or  what  remained  of  it — to  Lear.  Practised  the  first 
act,  and,  desponding  and  dissatisfied,  was  told  Mr.  Best  had  arrived 
with  bed  for  the  west  room.  This  settled  my  study,  and  with  Catherine 
and  Lydia  I  went  into  the  fields  to  shoot  with  the  bow.  Mr.  Best 
finished  the  room,  and  we  returned  to  approve  of  his  work.  After 
dinner  turned  over  the  Elegant  Extracts,  and  was  much  gratified  by 
a  song  of  Shirley's  on  death ;  it  is  worth  remembering.  Read  the  last 
act  of  Antony  and  Cleopatra,  and  Hazlitt's  *  observations  on  that  play 
and  Lear.  What  conceited  trash  that  man  has  thought  to  pass  upon 
the  public,  and  how  willingly  many  of  them  received  the  counterfeit 
as  sterling. 

Bristol,  August  24th. — It  is  nearly  twenty  years  since,  with  a  heart 
palpitating  between  hope  and  fear,  I  first  entered  Bath.  What  changes 
since !  What  revolutions  in  the  world  around  me,  and  the  world 
within  me !  Is  life  worth  possessing  ?  I,  who  have  so  many  blessings 
in  it,  cannot  decide  the  question  at  once.     On  reaching  Bristol,  was 

^  James  Prescott  Warde  (1792-1840) ;  his  real  name  was  Prescott ;  first  appeared  at  Bath  ; 
was  not  a  success  in  London,  and  died  in  poverty. 

'  Robert  Keeley  (i  793-1 869),  the  well-known  comedian  ;  was  associated  with  Macready 
at  Drury  Lane  in  1 841-1842. 

'  James  Robinson  Planch^  (1796-1880)  ;  dramatist,  theatrical  manager,  and  authority  on 
heraldry.  His  career  was  a  varied  one,  as  he  was  at  different  times  manager  of  Vauxhall 
Gardens  and  of  the  Adelphi  theatre,  ending  as  Somerset  Herald  and  member  of  missions 
for  the  investiture  of  foreign  sovereigns  with  the  Garter.  He  was  a  prolific  writer  for  the 
London  theatres,  but  his  plays  have  made  no  permanent  reputation. 

*  William  Hazlitt  (1778-1830)  ;  journalist  and  critic,  especially  on  the  drama.  He  had 
certainly  plenty  of  vanity,  but  though  many  of  his  criticisms  provoked  a  good  deal  of 
dissent,  he  can  hardly  be  accused  of  writing  "trash."  His  pen,  however,  could  be 
exceedingly  rancorous,  and  when  dramatic  critic  to  the  Mormng  Chronicle  he  may  possibly 
have  given  Macready  just  cause  for  resentment,  but  he  was  on  the  whole  an  able  and 
accomplished  writer. 

ss 


THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY  [1888 

most  civilly  received  by  Mrs.  Niblett;  read  newspapers,  and  went  to 
bed. 

Swansea,  August  25th. — Rose  in  good  time,  and  went  to  pay  my 
fare  at  the  Bush ;  remarkably  civil  people.  Wrote  to  my  dearest 
Catherine.  After  leaving  the  White  Lion  inn,  found  myself  too  soon 
for  the  mail,  and  walked  about  the  streets ;  interested  by  looking  into 
a  sort  of  crypt  underneath  one  of  the  churches.  Started  with  a  full 
coach,  and  proceeded  in  "dumb  amazement  all"  to  Passage.  The 
view  of  the  Severn,  and  the  splendid  prospects  presented  by  the  road 
through  Wales,  made  me  wish  for  the  presence  of  my  dear  Catherine. 
Colonel  Cameron  of  the  79th  was  one  of  our  passengers.  The  ice  was 
broke,  and  conversation  became  general  from  Passage.  In  the  course 
of  the  day  he  mentioned  the  behaviour  of  Lord  Hill,^  first  promising 
to  present  his  petition  for  his  father's  regiment  and  then  refusing,  on 
which  he  retired.  There  is  much  upon  the  road  to  interest  and  delight 
a  traveller.  On  arriving  at  Swansea  I  had  to  stand  the  brunt  of  much 
curiosity.  At  length  I  was  set  free,  and  went  to  take  tea  with  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Woulds,  who  have  very  sweet  children. 

August  26th. — Mr.  Woulds  ^  called  before  I  had  left  my  bedroom  ; 
until  the  hour  of  rehearsal  I  employed  myself  in  making  up  my  accounts. 
Rehearsed  lago  with  a  very  loud  and  bold  Othello.  Afterwards  walked 
by  the  road  to  the  shore  and  along  the  beach  to  ray  lodgings  with 
Mr.  Woulds.  After  dinner  read  over  lago  and  slept — laid  out  my 
clothes  and  wrote  to  my  dear  wife.  Acted  lago  pretty  well  to  an 
indifferent  house — drank  rather  more  sherry  than  was  good  for  me, 
and  in  consequence  returned  to  my  lodgings  fevered,  and  incapable  of 
business  or  reflection.  I  fell  on  the  stage,  from  treading  on  a  purse, 
as  I  rushed  off  in  the  assassination  scene — it  was,  however,  before  I 
had  drunk  wine.  Mr.  Woulds  showed  me  a  letter  from  Knowles,  which, 
from  its  hilarious  condescension,  seemed  to  me  the  strongest  evidence 
I  have  yet  seen  of  the  idea  he  entertains  of  himself.  Could  not  help 
wishing  for  the  quiet  of  a  country  life,  as  I  passed  a  very  neat  villa 
here,  that  I  might  dedicate  my  remaining  years  to  the  culture  of  my 
own  mind  and  the  careful  education  of  my  children's. 

»  Rowland  Hill,  first  Viscount  Hill  (1772-1842) ;  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Army. 
Made  his  reputation  in  the  Peninsula.  As  Commander-in-Chief  he  was  opposed  to  innova- 
tion and  reform  ;  accordingly  many  of  the  old  abuses  still  flourished  under  his  administration, 
creating  much  dissatisfaction  among  officers  who  had  only  their  merits  to  look  to  for 
advancement. 

^  Manager  of  the  Swansea  theatre. 

56 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

August  ^Ith. — Mr.  Woulds  again  surprised  me  in  my  bedroom,  not 
much  refreshed  from  a  feverish  night.  Continued  my  arrears  of 
accounting  until  ten,  when  I  went  to  my  first  rehearsal  of  LeaVf  with 
which  I  was  much  dissatisfied  :  I  am  not  yet  at  ease  in  the  character. 
I  have  much  labour  yet  to  bestow  upon  it  before  I  can  hope  to  make 
it  such  a  representation  as  I  am  ambitious  of.  Spent  five  hours  in 
rehearsing,  and  left  the  theatre  jaded  and  worn  out.  Lay  down  after 
dinner,  and  with  pain  in  my  limbs,  and  "between  sleep  and  wake," 
made  myself  perfect  in  the  last  scene  of  Lear.  A  poor  player  called 
Dunn,  whom  I  remember  in  a  dirty  old  coat  as  D.  Dashall  at  Wexford 
calling  rouleaux  ^^  roorloorSf^^  sent  in  a  petition  to  me  to  buy  some 
fishing-flies  from  him.  Acted  particularly  well  William  Tell,  with 
collectedness,  energy  and  truth ;  the  audience  felt  it.  I  spoke  in  my 
own  manly  voice,  and  took  time  to  discriminate.  I  was  much  pleased. 
Received  letters  from  Calcraft  and  from  dear  Catherine.  Learnt  from 
the  last  Dr.  Dibdin's  call  at  Elm  P.,  which  gratified  me  very  much; 
but  am  not  satisfied  with  her  state  of  health.  What  would  life  be  to 
me  under  the  load  of  regret  that  I  should  bear  to  my  grave  if  I  were 
to  lose  that  dear  woman?     Went  to  bed  very  much  fatigued. 

August  28th. — Rose  very  reluctantly  to  attend  an  early  rehearsal 
of  Hamlet;  I  am  better  to-day,  but  feel  my  labour  heavy  on  me. 
Wrote  an  answer  to  Calcraft's  letter,  and  went  to  rehearsal,  at  which 
I  paid  much  attention  to  my  business.  Took  the  opportunity  of  writing 
to  my  dear  Catherine,  cliiefly  on  the  subject  of  her  health,  about  which 
I  am  very  anxious.  Talked  with  Woulds  about  the  Bristol  theatre ;  if 
let  on  reasonable  terms  it  might  be  a  fair  speculation,  at  least  for  one 
year.  Went  to  his  lodgings  to  hear  his  little  girls  play  and  sing,  which 
they  do  very  charmingly.  Heard  much  of  Malibran's  extravagances 
while  visiting  at  Loder's ;  what  a  wonderful  creature  she  is !  Found 
cards  of  Dr.  HoAvel  and  Mr.  Thomas,  the  port-reeve,  on  my  return 
home.  Acted  Hamlet  very  unsatisfactorily ;  having  rehearsed  it  very 
well,  I  anticipated  a  good  performance,  but  I  did  not  begin  well,  and 
Horatio  quite  threw  me  oS.  my  balance.  I  did  the  best  I  could,  but 
I  had  not  my  audience  in  my  grasp.  Returning  home,  I  sat  down  on 
the  loose  stones  to  gaze  at  the  moon  and  listen  to  the  silence,  recalling 
scenes  of  bitter  anguish  endured  under  the  same  bright,  clear,  and 
tranquil  light. 

August  29th. — Endeavoured  to  make  the  most  of  the  day  by 
beginning  to  pack  up  my  clothes  before  rehearsal.  At  the  rehearsal 
of  Lear  I  found  myself  very  deficient,  undecided,  uncollected ;  in  short, 

57 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1888 

unprepared  for  the  attempt.  After  rehearsal  took  a  walk  of  two  miles 
and  more  to  return  the  port-reeve's  call — the  way  along  the  hills 
about  Swansea  afforded  beautiful  views  of  the  bay.  Reposed,  and 
tried  to  think  of  Lear  during  the  afternoon,  but  vainly ;  my  thoughts 
gain  an  evil  mastery  over  me — a  great  misfortune,  or  a  great  crime ; 
the  latter.  Acted  Lear ;  how  ?  I  scarcely  know.  Certainly  not 
well — not  so  well  as  I  rehearsed  it ;  crude,  fictitious  voice,  no  point ; 
in  short,  a  failure !  To  succeed  in  it  I  must  strain  every  nerve  of 
thought,  or  triumph  is  hopeless.  Woulds  called  and  paid  me;  not  a 
very  profitable  engagement,  but  I  am  seldom  discontented.  Letter 
from  dearest  Catherine ;  thank  God,  she  is  better.  Packed  up  the 
remainder  of  my  things.     Paid  servants  of  the  theatre. 

Gloucester y  August  SOth. — As  I  walked  along  the  street  to  the 
coach  office  this  morning  a  little  before  four,  I  perceived  clearly  my 
want  of  directness,  reality,  and  truth  in  Lear.  Will  not  give  it  up. 
My  failure  last  night,  like  Peter's  overthrow  at  Narva,  may  be  a  step 
to  final  success. 

Birmingham,  August  21st. — Balanced  my  wakefulness  of  the  pre- 
vious night  by  my  sleep  last  night.  A  crowd  passed  along  the  street, 
but  my  curiosity  did  not  induce  me  to  mingle  in  it.  I  afterwards 
learned  it  was  eager  to  see  two  ignorant  creatures  (a  young  man,  whose 
angry  feelings  were  excited  by  bad  cider,  or  short  measure,  and  violent 
expulsion,  consequent  upon  his  dissatisfaction  with  it — and  a  passionate 
woman)  executed  for  arson.  A  cavalry  regiment,  8th,  passed  along  the 
street.  Is  not  a  man  an  ass  or  a  monkey  in  mind  for  condescending 
to  put  on  a  fool's  jacket,  and  sell  his  time  and  opinions,  at  least  the 
power  of  uttering  them,  for  the  return  of  soldier's  pay  and  rations? 
When  will  the  soul  of  man  walk  abroad  in  its  own  majesty  ? 

Harrogate,  September  2nd. — Shall  I  ever  be  able  to  obtain  a  perfect 
control  of  my  thoughts?  And,  until  I  do  so,  of  what  use  are  my 
purposes  and  aspirations?  This  morning  I  called  on  McGill  in  reply 
to  his  letter,  but  he  was  from  home.  Walked  to  Harrogate,  thinking 
of  Lear,  and  saw  Benn  at  the  Granby ;  ^  he  gave  me  no  assistance  in 
furthering  my  wish  to  dispose  of  the  property,  but  promised  his  rent. 
Went  along  the  beautiful  wood  on  the  river's  side  to  the  13ropping 
Well,  which  is  both  beautiful  and  curious ;  found  some  specimens  of 
petrifaction ;  continued  my  walk  along  the  opposite  bank  (and  the  walk 
is  so  varied  and  pleasing  it  needs  no  object  beyond  itself)  to  the  cave 

•  A  hotel  in  which  Macready  had  rather  incaatiously  invested. 
58 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

where  Eugene  Aram  and  Houseman  deposited  the  bones  o£  Dan  Clarke. 
It  had  been  a  Hermitage,  but  nearly  choked  up  with  earth  ;  it  is  now 
cleared  away,  and  exhibits  in  its  regular  floors  and  steps  its  original 
purpose.  Called  on  Mr.  Powell,  absent,  and  enjoyed  the  lovely  and 
extensive  view  through  the  dingle  and  over  the  distant  country  from  the 
castle  grounds.  Called  again  on  Mr.  Powell  (again  was  gratified  with 
the  splendid  view  from  the  castle),  and  deputed  him  to  advertise  and 
try  to  find  a  purchaser  for  the  Granby.  Mr.  Gill  called,  and  I  gave 
him  my  name  to  oppose  the  public-house  licence  opposite  the  Granby. 
Read  the  newspaper  and  Eugene  Aram.  Have  been  more  interested 
this  evening  with  the  very  ingenious  and  staggering  defence  of  Eugene 
Aram  than  by  all  the  external  beauty  of  the  woods  and  waters,  the 
overhanging  cliffs  and  distant  hills,  the  bright  green  slopes  and  shadowy 
outlines  that  have  held  me  in  rapturous  gaze  this  morning.  I  am  even 
now  almost  inclined  to  doubt  his  guilt ;  my  difficulty  is  in  reconciling 
the  cold-blooded  meanness  of  the  transaction  with  his  clearly  dis- 
criminating perception  of  right  and  wrong,  his  habits,  his  wants,  and 
his  pursuits.  I  would  rather  have  hung  Houseman  and  Terry — but 
perhaps  this,  like  many  anomalies  in  the  physical  world,  is  placed  before 
us  to  teach  us  the  impotency  of  our  own  reasoning.  God  and  His 
works  are  inscrutable. 

September  Srd. — My  self-broken  rest,  or  rather  entire  absence  of  it 
last  night,  made  me  only  wake  to-day  each  time  to  sleep  again.  I 
have  observed  nothing,  and  have  been  able  to  think  on  little.  Lear 
has  been  the  only  subject  on  which  my  mind  has  been  employed  with 
any  advantage,  and  I  think  my  reflection  on  my  late  experiment  has 
furnished  me  with  the  key  to  the  truth  of  the  character.  My  obstinate 
impatience  of  imposition  cost  me  my  breakfast  this  morning  at  Sheffield, 
and  instead  of  the  filthy  smoking-room  into  which  we  were  shown,  I 
went  in  search  of  my  razors,  which  Barber  had  done  for  me  and  is  to 
send  to  town.  My  companions  were  nothings,  and  one  a  little  below 
that  harmless  character  inflated  by  ideal  importance  into  something 
disagreeable.  I  really  slept  through  the  entire  day,  which  was  rainy 
and  dull.  I  was  asked  at  Sheffield,  after  some  impertinence  and  much 
incivility,  if  I  would  go  outside  to  "accommodate";  this  modest 
request,  instead  of  either  not  answering  or  slightly  refusing,  I  so  far 
forgot  m)'self  as  to  rudely  repel,  which  was  forgetting  my  own  preten- 
sion to  the  character  of  a  gentleman,  and  which  I  regard  as  highly 
censurable.  At  Birmingham  I  read  an  extract  from  Grattan's  reminis- 
cences of  Eean,  which  offended  my  stomach ;  but  am  I  capable  of 

59 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1883 

judging  that  man  ?  If  others  see  his  merits  with  the  magnifying-glass 
of  the  telescope,  perhaps  I  turn  it  to  examine  them ! 

Elstree,  September  Mh. — At  intervals  of  sleep  or  conversation  read 
various  Essays  of  Bacon ;  they  made  me  think,  and,  as  they  always  do, 
gratified  me  extremely.  That  on  envy  led  me  to  question  and  condemn 
myself  for  the  occasional  '*  discontentment  "  in  which  I  sometimes 
indulge,  which  I  can  find  no  reason  to  call  by  any  other  name  than 
envy.  It  is  as  unjust  to  my  condition  in  life  as  it  is  mean  and  debasing 
in  itself.  I  never  suffer  it  to  have  a  place  in  my  mind,  when  perceived, 
and  I  pray  to  God  I  may  be  able  to  eradicate  it.  Reached  home,  and 
had  the  comfort  of  finding  my  family  well,  for  which  I  truly  thank 
God.     Listened  to  all  the  news,  and  noted  down  my  accounts. 

Brighton,  September  1th. — Set  off  with  Catherine,  Nina  and  Hales 
to  London.  Our  journey  offered  little  to  remark  upon  ;  we  were  rather 
inconvenienced  by  the  heat  and  dust ;  my  little  Nina  was  a  very  good 
child,  and  I  felt  the  pleasure  at  my  heart  of  looking  upon  such  dear 
treasures  as  the  wife  and  child  beside  me.  The  country  about  Cuckfield 
is  very  beautiful.  We  drove,  unluckily,  to  the  Clarence  Hotel,  which 
is  now  become,  from  a  private  hotel,  a  commercial  and  coach  house. 

Glad  to  escape  from  it.     W and  myself  went  in  search  of  lodgings, 

which  through  the  kindness  of  a  house-agent,  who  knew  me,  we  found 
after  some  perambulation.  My  dislike  to  Brighton  was  mitigated  by 
the  clean  lodgings  into  which  we  got.  I  took  a  room  for  Wallace  over 
the  way. 

September  8th. — Walked  out  to  post  office  and  round  the  Steyne 
as  far  as  Kemp  Town  in  company  with  Wallace ;  met  Mr.  Broadwood ; 

saw  Mr.  C ,  a  man  to  make  men  think — selfish,  sensual,  obdurate, 

vindictive  to  the  last  and  vilest  degree,  injuring  any  one  in  his  way 
to  wound  the  object  of  his  hate  I  And  this  man  is  extolled  by  the  Bar 
and  Press  for  his  amiable  and  honourable  character  I  He  sold  up  poor 
old  Boaden  for  inability  to  pay  his  rent.  In  the  evening  read  some 
of  Wallace's  History,  which  I  thought,  with  some  exception,  good. 
Passed  the  evening  in  conversation,  not  very  amusing,  but  affording 
one  further  insight  into  the  vanity  of  human  nature,  in  showing  how 
we  colour  to  ourselves  the  motives  of  our  conduct.  Am  already  wearied 
with  Brighton,  a  place  to  which  my  aversion  increases  with  my 
experience  of  its  monotony. 

September  9th. — After  a  little  writing,  went  to  rehearsal,  where 
I  received  my  luggage  and  settled  the  business  of  the  week.  Discovered 
that  I  had  been  announced  by  mistake  for  the  previous  Monday,  and 
60 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

that  the  play  of  Macbeth  had  been  acted  with  an  apology  for  a  substi- 
tute, owing  to  an  error  of  Mr.  Vining's.  Rehearsed  tolerably  well, 
and  afterwards  took  a  warm  bath.  Received  an  invitation  to  Worthing 
from  Mr.  Stanley,  the  manager,  which  I  answered  doubtfully.  After 
dinner  I  lay  down  from  fatigue,  and  endeavoured  ineffectually  to 
recover  ray  spirits,  while  Catherine,  Nina  and  Wallace  went  out  to 
drive  about  the  cliff.  Acted  Macbeth  to  a  very  fair  house,  but  indif- 
ferently ;  there  was  a  want  of  self-possession  in  the  performance  that 
caused  an  exuberance  of  physical  effort  which  never  can  have  a  proper 
effect  when  perceptible  to  an  audience.  There  were  precipitation  and 
stress  throughout,  which  often  cost  me  the  applause  I  ought  to  have 
gained;  my  best  attempt  was  the  "to-morrow  and  to-morrow."  Was 
very  much  fatigued  and  went  beaten  to  bed. 

September  10th. — The  rehearsal  of  to-day  gave  little  hope  of  our 
passing  muster  at  night ;  no  one  perfect,  and  every  one  indifferent  even 
where  the  words  were  spoken.  Endeavoiu*ed  to  rehearse  naturally  and 
gain  ray  self-possession ;  abandoned  the  idea  of  acting  Lear  here  from 
the  confused  manner  in  which  it  must  be  done.  Scarcely  able  to  conceal 
my  disgust  at  the  conceit  of  a  very  bad  actor,  called  Haynes.  Lay 
down  in  the  afternoon,  while  Catherine,  Nina  and  Wallace  drove  about 
the  cliff.     Met  them  on  my  way  to  the  theatre,  but  shrank  from  a 

parley,  owing  to  the  manner  in  which  W tried  to  stop  the  coachman. 

Acted  Werner,  for  the  most  part  very  well ;  although  the  characters 
were  imperfect  and  ill  acted,  the  play  was  received  with  interest  and 
enthusiasm.  I  was  master  of  myself,  and  felt  what  I  was  doing,  and 
how  to  do  it.  Mr.  Stanley  carae  frora  Worthing,  and  settled  an  engage- 
ment with  me  for  Saturday  next.  He  brought  rae  a  very  kind  raessage 
from  Dr.  Wooll,^  inviting  me  to  his  house.  Came  home  in  a  fly,  and 
thought  much  upon  Sir  H.  B.  Dudley's  ^  objection  to  my  acting,  that 
I  "  was  too  lavish  of  physical  effort/^     He  was  right. 

September  11th. — At  rehearsal  bore  in  mind  Sir  H.  B.  D.'s  criti- 
cism, and  endeavoured  to  act  from  the  mind  direct,  and  not  lash  myself 

^  The  Rev.  John  Wooll,  D.D.  (1767-1833) ;  Headmaster  of  Rugby  lor  over  twenty  years. 
Macready  was  under  him  for  a  short  time  before  he  left  ;  he  gives  an  interes'insr  account  of 
him  in  his  /Reminiscences. 

^  Presumably  Sir  Henry  Bate  Dudley,  Bart.  (1745- 1824);  clergyman,  journalist,  and  news- 
paper editor.  Nicknamed  the  "  Fighting  Parson."  Edited  the  Morning  Post,  and  originated 
the  Morning  Herald.  Having  been  imprisoned  for  libel  and  practised  simony,  he  eventually 
settled  down  as  prebendary  of  Ely.  His  baronetcy  was  the  reward  of  "delicate  services" 
rendered  to  the  Regent.  He  assumed  the  name  of  Dudley,  his  rightful  surname  being 
Bate. 

61 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

into  excitement  by  physical  exertion.     Wished  to  act  well,  and  to  bear 

in  mind  the  principle  inculcated  in  Sir  H.  B.'s  objection.     Proceeded 

with  tolerable  success  to  the  third  act,  but,  owing  to  the  inattention 

of  the  Lucius,  my  scene  at  the  camp  was  utterly  destroyed,  and  I 

incapable  of  recovering  my  self-possession  through  the  night.     I  must 

not  omit  to  notice  the  temper  I  displayed  on  the  occasion,  which  calls 

up  my  bitter  regret,  as  it  merits  the  heaviest  censure.     What  would 

I  not  do,  or  give,  to  cure  myself  of  this  unjustifiable,  dangerous,  and 

unhappy  disposition  ?     Regret  is  no  expiation  of  a  vice  that  injures 

others  and  degrades  myself. 

September  12th. — At  rehearsal  I  again  took  the  same  precaution  as 

yesterday,  and  hoped  to  have  given  a  fresh  and  earnest  representation 

of  Hamlet  this  evening.     Returning  from  the  theatre,  I  called  at  the 

agency  office  to  show  all  the  sense  I  could  of  the  attention   I  had 

received  there.     On  the  parade  met  Liston,^  looking  pretty  well,  but 

older  and  much  graver — the  flexibility  of  that  humorous  visage  seems 

to  stiffen  under  the  chill  of  age.     Wrote  a  letter  of  acknowledgment  to 

Dr.  Wooll.     Lay  down,  while  Catherine,  etc.,  took  their  daily  drive. 

Procured  her  a  private  box  at  the  theatre ;  was  anxious  to  play  well, 

but  felt  myself  ineffective,  and  was  told  by  her  of  my  hurry  and  want 

of    deliberate    method.      In    comparing    my    performances    with    my 

reliearsals,  when  I  frequently  speak  and  act  with  an  abandonment  and 

a  reality  that  surprises  me,  I  feel  the  great  advantage  which  Kean, 

Miss  O'Neill,  and  Mrs.  Siddons  enjoyed  in  passing  their  earliest  years 

upon  the  stage,  and  thereby  obtaining  a  powef  of  identification  only 

to  be  so  acquired. 

September  12th. — Finding  scarcely  any  one  at  the  rehearsal,  I  went 

into  my  dressing-room,  and  began  the  packing  of  my  clothes.     I  might 

have  done  this  without  an  angry  comment  or  sarcasm.     Took  a  warm 

bath,  and  walked  on  the  chain  pier,  where  I  met  Mrs.   Liston,  who 

accosted  me,  and  chatted  for  some  time.      Going  home,  I  met  and 

returned    with    Catherine   and   Nina,    whom    we   accompanied    in    her 

little    goat-carriage;    again    met    Mrs.    Liston,    and    was    too    proud 

of  introducing  my  little  girl  to  her.     Saw  a  steam-carriage  pass  and 

repass  us.     Catherine  made  some  purchases.     Acted   Werner  pretty 

well,   but   not  as  on   Tuesday   night.     The   audience   were   cold   and 

very  difficult  to  excite.      Gave  an   explanation,   as   some  atonement, 

to  Lucius,  with  whom  I  had  been  so  angry  on  Wednesday.      Made 

^  John  Liston  (i  776-1846),  the  famous  comedian  ;  began  life  as  a  schoolmaster  ;  retired 
from  the  stage  in  1837. 

6a 


1833]  THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

largesses  to  the  servants.  Settled  with  manager,  and  received  his 
compliments. 

Worthing,  September  IWi. — After  settling  all  my  accounts,  and 
waiting  some  time  for  Wallace,  we  set  off  for  Worthing.  Most 
journeys  are  interesting  to  me,  if  merely  from  the  change  of  object. 
On  this  road  there  is  the  western  end  of  Brighton,  the  church  of 
Shoreham,  the  Duke  of  Norfolk's  suspension  bridge,  and  "the  sea,  the 
sea,"  to  keep  attention  awake.  The  last  time  I  travelled  on  this  road 
my  feelings  and  my  situation  were  as  wretched  as  man's  could  well  be. 
How  grateful  ought  I  not  to  be  for  the  blessed  contrast  which  this 
day  affords !  We  reached  a  very  pleasant  hotel  at  Worthing,  on  the 
beach,  and  from  rehearsal,  which  offered  me  a  doubtful  prospect,  I 
called  on  Dr.  Wooll.  Poor  Dr.  WooU  !  "  Heu  !  quantum  mutatus !  "  I 
dressed  as  well  as  I  could  without  dresser,  and  acted  as  well  as  I  could, 
earnestly  wishing  to  please  my  poor  old  master.  Much  I  did  well — in 
the  betrothment  of  Virginia  the  thought  of  my  own  beloved  wife  and 
child  flashed  across  me,  and  I  spoke  from  my  soul — the  tears  came  from 
my  heart. 

September  15th. — I  saw  in  the  Globe  an  announcement  of  my  name 
for  Prosper©  in  the  Tempest  on  the  opening  night  of  D.  L.  theatre. 
I  felt  very  indignant  at  such  an  opening  part,  which  Mr.  Bunn  knows 
very  well  I  except  to.  I  settled  my  bill,  and  set  off  on  a  very  pleasant 
road  towards  London,  through  Horsham,  Dorking  and  Leatherhead. 
At  Kingston  we  lunched,  and  turned  off  through  Twickenham,  Isle- 
worth,  and  Ealing,  crossed  the  Uxbridge  and  Harrow  roads,  and 
reached  Elstree  by  the  Bushey  road.  Was  soured  and  annoyed  (without 
any  due  cause)  by  the  occurrence  of  the  morning,  and  suffered  myself 
to  break  into  passion  upon  the  slightest  provocation,  or,  to  speak  truly, 
without  any  provocation  at  all.  Spoke  in  an  overbearing  and  im- 
petuous maimer  to  Wallace,  who  endured  my  insolence  with  most 
friendly  forbearance.  How  bitterly  I  reproach  myself !  On  my  arrival 
at  home  found  my  dear  boy  and  sister  quite  well,  for  which,  as  for  His 
other  mercies,  I  thank  God. 

September  16th. — Wallace  returned  to  London ;  our  manners  and 
habits  of  thought  and  action  grow  so  diversely,  that  it  is  not  to  be 
wondered  at  if  friendships  cool.  Was  vexed  at  the  loss  of  my  blood- 
hound bitch  Luath,  but  amused  with  Letty's  Irish  handbill — "  Deaf, 
and  answers  occasionally  to  the  name  of  Luath."  Went  over  the 
garden,  etc.  Considered  Mr.  Bunn's  letter,  which  I  thought  rude  and 
imperious ;  returned  the  part  of  Prospero,  as  not  being  yet  engaged 

63 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

in  the  theatre.  Wrote  to  Pritchard,  inviting  him  here  to-morrow.  Made 
arrangements  for  the  current  fortnight — which  occupied  in  canvassing 
them  much  time.  Wrote  to  Mr.  Kenneth  about  Richmond,  but  on 
a  change  of  plan  held  back  the  letter.  Have  felt  very  languid  and 
ailing  through  the  day,  rheumatic  and  cold.  Much  vexed  by  having 
to  deal  with  such  an  unprincipled  person  as  this  Mr.  Bunn,  but  hope 
I  have  acted  rightly  by  him.     Read  some  of  Voltaire's  Candide. 

September  11th. — News  was  brought  me  in  my  dressing-room  of 
Luath's  return,  having  been  brought  back  by  the  men-servants.  Mr. 
Pritchard  arrived  to  dinner.  He  informed  me  of  his  discharge  from 
Edinburgh  and  his  engagement  at  Dublin.  I  also  learnt  from  him 
the  confirmation  of  what  I  had  long  suspected,  an  envious  dislike  on 
the  part  of  the  manager  at  Edinburgh — Murray — to  me.  It  is  no 
discredit  to  me. 

September  18th. — Was  met  at  rising  by  a  letter,  in  an  altered  tone, 
from  Bunn ;  resolved  on  going  to  town.  Met  Letitia  in  chambers,  and 
after  looking  over  papers  went  to  Mr.  Bunn's  appointment  at  Dniry 
Lane ;  he  was  absent,  and  after  some  delay  I  crossed  to  Co  vent  Garden. 
He  "could  not  understand"  me,  nor  "I  him."  He  was  ready  to 
agree  to  everything  in  my  "  Algerine  "  engagement,  as  he  called  it; 
but  when  we  came  to  the  stipulation  for  "collateral  security,"  he 
demurred,  and,  reference  to  the  motive  becoming  necessary,  I  was 
obliged  to  ask  Dunn  to  withdraw.  I  then  observed  upon  the  debt  of 
£200  due  to  me  on  my  Dublin  engagement,  and  that  we  did  not  meet 
on  equal  footing ;  he  talked  and  evaded,  said  "  my  father  had  also 
been  unfortunate,"  and  much  that  had  no  relation  to  the  case,  and 
ultimately  I  altered  my  security  to  a  stipulation  that  '*  upon  infringe- 
ment I  should  be  free  to  leave  the  theatre,"  and  so  agreed  on  the 
engagement.  Afterwards  walked  out  with  Letitia  pricing  barouches. 
Looked  at  some  books  while  waiting  for  Billing's  coach,  and  returned 
together  to  Elstree,  bringing  with  me  the  Yeoman^ s  Daughter ^  which 
Serle  very  kindly  sent  me.  Talked  over  the  day's  events  and  read 
Prospero. 

September  19th. — Began  the  morning  with  reading  the  dull,  un- 
grammatical  version  of  Prospero  by  Dryden  and  Reynolds — oh,  the 
genius  I  Walked  in  the  garden  and  yard,  and  spent  the  whole  of  the 
day  in  altering  and  writing  out  copies  of  my  engagement,  an  accom- 
panying letter,  making  part  of  the  agreement,  with  a  letter  to  Mr. 
Bunn,  intended  only  to  put  on  record,  litera  scripta,  the  position  in 
which  we  stand  towards  each  other.  Mr.  Tonilins  called,  and  offered 
64 


ALFKED    BUNN 

FroM  a  lilhograph 


1883]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

me  £S5  for  my  largest  rick,  and  left  me  requesting  I  would  not  part 
with  it  for  a  pound  more.  I  read  Serle's  petit  drama  in  the  evening 
and  was  very  much  pleased  with  its  humour,  character  and  pathos ;  the 
keeping  of  the  piece  is  excellent.  Before  I  went  to  bed  I  read  Prospero, 
and  as  long  as  my  eyes  would  keep  open  to  it,  in  bed  too.  I  am 
indolent,  and  my  mind  is  in  an  unsettled  state.     I  have  no  good  augury, 

in  ray  feelings,  of  the  engagement  I  have  made.     Mr.  B is  destitute 

alike  of  honour  and  common  honesty,  and  my  trust  is  in  Providence 
only. 

September  21st. — Was  led,  by  paying  the  week's  charge,  to  a  con- 
sideration of  the  cost  of  maintaining  this  house,  which,  at  it*  present 
rate,  is  far  more  than  I  can  afford,  and  more  than  I  will  afford.  The 
subject  would  not  depart  from  my  thoughts  the  whole  day ;  the  reflec- 
tion that  I  might  leave  my  beloved  wife  and  children  with  bare 
support  quite  distressed  me.  I  spoke  to  Catherine  and  my  sister 
upon  it. 

London^  September  25t/i. — Went  to  rehearsal  of  the  Tempest,  and, 
to  my  astonishment,  no  less  than  that  of  the  acting-manager  and 
prompter  to  see  me,  found  there  was  none.  This  is  an  omen  to  draw 
prediction  from.  Went  to  the  Garrick  Club ;  read  the  papers,  and 
was  directed  to  the  Age,  where  I  read,  evidently  on  the  dictation  of 
Bunn,  some  abuse  of  myself — a  good  beginning !  Saw  Bartley  there, 
who  observed  that  Westmacott  ^  was  always  in  his  room,  and  that  he 
did  not  yet  know  the  Covent  Garden  opening  play !  Returned  to 
chambers,  and  wrote  to  Letty,  invitations  to  Wallace  and  F.  Reynolds. 
On  my  way  to  Bricklayers'  Arms  overtook  Price,  who  told  me  Talfourd 
had  bought  in  ,£1500,  3  per  cents.,  since  Xmas.  Non  equidem 
invideo — but  it  is  hard  that  I  should  be  the  subject  of  envy. 
Returned  by  a  flying  van  to  dinner,  and  passed  a  pleasant  afternoon, 
playing  at  whist. 

September  SOth. — Went   by   Billings's   coach,    outside    with    Dr. 

Lardner,  to  town ;  on  our  way  he  made  me  acquainted  with  the  French 

and  Prussian  systems  of  education,  of  which  I  was  wholly  ignorant; 

they  are  admirable — the  beginning  with  natural  history  is  excellently 

conceived  to  awaken  interest  and  exercise  the  memory  in  an  agreeable 

manner.     In  London,   after  executing  several  domestic  commissions, 

and  calling  at  my  banker's,  I  went  to  the  rehearsal  of  the  Tempest 

at  Drury  Lane.     Here  I  found  that  the  opening  was  postponed  to 

Saturday,   and   received  fresh   evidence   of   the  ignorance  and    utter 

^  The  editor  of  the  A^g. 
VOL.  I.  F  5C 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1888 

incompetency  of  Bunn  in  his  treatment  of  poor  King,  a  new  actor 
from  Dublin.  The  prospect  of  the  theatrical  season  scarcely  presents 
a  hope  of  its  continuance,  but  fortune  is  oft  pleased  to  baffle  judgment 
and  calculation. 

October  1st. — After  dinner  I  received  a  parcel,  containing  a  note 
and  the  part  of  Ford  from  Cooper ;  I  was  quite  angry  at  this  seeming 
succession  of  bad  parts,  and  felt  really  exasperated.  I  wrote  an  angry 
note  through  Cooper,  but  had  the  sense  to  destroy  it,  and  sent 
another  to  say  I  had  never  done  it.  Afterwards  I  read  it,  and  did 
not  dislike  it. 

October  2nd. — Walked  in  the  garden ;  and  sent,  by  Crown  Prince, 
D'Aguilar's  Fiesco  and  Sulivan's  Countess  of  Provence  to  Bunn,  with 
strong  recommendation.  Began  to  read  Prospero :  looked  through 
some  parts  of  Bulwer's  England,  etc.  Dressed  and  walked  to  Dr. 
Dibdin's.  The  party  consisted  of  Dr.  Fitton,  Mr.  Newcome,  Jenkins, 
Phillimore,  two  Howarths.  The  day  was  not  disagreeable,  and  to  me 
amusing  in  giving  me  the  power  of  estimating  the  value  of  that  society 
which  has  set  itself  so  much  above  me.  I  owe  them  no  resentment. 
I  expected  from  Dr.  D.'s  language  to  meet  only  a  gentleman's  party, 
and  was  astonished  as  well  as  hurt  in  going  in  to  coffee  to  see  the  room 
half  filled  with  women — Phillimores,  Haworths,  Boltons,  Jerkins,  and 
unknown  etcs.  This  slight  on  my  dearest  relations  was  inexcusable 
either  in  regard  to  my  feelings  or  my  position  in  this  neighbourhood. 
He  detained  me  to  talk  to  Miss  Haworth,  and  I  "  marched  out  by 
moonlight  wearily." 

October  3rd. — The  thought  occurs  to  me  as  I  begin  this  day, 
dejected  but  grateful  to  God  for  the  undeserved  blessings  I  enjoy, 
"what  is  ever  gained  by  resentment?"  What  benefit  do  we  meet 
from  exasperating  men  ?  We  sink  ourselves  to  the  level  of  those  who 
have  injured  us ;  and  we  justify  the  fate  that  oppresses  us.  These 
reflections  arose  as  I  ruminated  on  the  strange  behaviour  of  Dr.  Dibdin 
yesterday,  and  its  effect  upon  my  wife  and  sister.  I  was  detained  in 
bed  by  a  very  bad  headache,  and  on  rising  walked  with  Catherine 
round  the  garden.  The  chief  occupation  of  the  day  has  been  to 
perfect  myself  in  Prospero,  which  has  no  charm  or  recompense  to 
allure  me.  I  am  more  indolent  than  I  wish  to  be;  my  pursuit  is  so 
distasteful  to  me.  I  read  the  lives  of  Blake  and  Sir  Francis  Drake 
by  Johnson,  very  much  praised  (I  think,  over-praised)  by  Dr.  Dibdin. 
Received  a  note  from  Dr.  Dibdin,  extremely  free  and  cordial  in  its 
tone,  which  therefore  I  had  much  rather  he  had  not  sent,  as  it  will 
66 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

tax  my  art  of  contrivance  to  answer  it  without  betraying  some  symptom 
of  my  real  feeling. 

October  5th. — To-day  being  the  opening  of  Drury  Lane  theatre, 
I  went  to  town  by  Billings,  and,  executing  some  domestic  commissions 
previously,  attended  the  rehearsal  of  the  Tempest  at  half-past  eleven. 
There  was  nothing  to  notice  but  its  tedium,  and  the  offer  made  me 
of  a  night's  performance  at  Richmond,  which  I  decUned  on  the  double 
reason  of  interference  with  my  attention  to  business  and  anticipation 
of  a  longer  and  more  lucrative  engagement.  Received  two  letters  about 
new  plays.  Dined  on  a  chop  at  the  Garrick  Club  (really  a  blackguard 
place),  where  I  saw  G.  Robins,  Winston,  T.  P.  Cooke,  Raymond  and 
Collier  ^ — the  two  last  are  worthy  of  better  society.  Mr.  King,  the 
debutant  of  Monday  next,  came  to  request  my  advice  as  to  his  best 
course  under  the  fearful  responsibility  forced  on  him  by  Bunn.  As  he 
thought  he  could  get  through  it  with  some  effort,  I  reconunended  him 
to  set  to  work  manfully :  though  I  fear  he  miscalculates  his  powers. 
Was  obliged  to  force  the  locks  of  my  trunks  for  my  dress  of  Prosper©, 
acted  the  part  unequally,  but  maintained  myself  in  the  only  great 
passage  retained  in  the  characterless,  stupid  old  proses  of  common- 
place which  the  acted  piece  calls  Prospero.  The  house  was  good,  and 
the  play  went  off  well. 

October  6th. — After  a  night  that  only  afforded  me  two  hours'  sleep, 
I  rose  to  catch  the  Crown  Prince,  and  walked  above  four  miles  before 
it  overtook  me.  The  guard  informed  me  that  Knowles  was  one  of 
the  passengers  on  the  day  the  coach  was  detained  2^  hours  at  Elstree 
by  the  breaking  of  the  axle  tree,  and  with  another  passenger  took  a 
chaise  on  after  waiting  If  hours  at  this  place.  Am  I  to  wonder  that 
he  did  not  call  to  inquire  after  my  family  ?  After  the  benefits  he  has 
received  from  me,  I  think  I  am  justified  in  classing  it  with  other 
evidences  of  unthankful  conduct  noticed  in  him.  Found  all  well 
(L.  D.)  at  home;  wrote  two  civil  notes  to  authors  (G.  Pattison  and 
Phillips)  who  had  applied  to  me.  Enjoyed  the  mild  beauty  of  the  day 
in  the  garden ;  went  to  afternoon  service ;  a  gentleman  here,  who  has 
not  called  on  me,  seemed  anxious  to  get  an  opportunity  of  speaking, 
which  I  manoeuvred  to  avoid.  Looked  into  Bulwer's  book,  which  has 
this  advantage,  at  least,  that  it  may  lead  others  to  right  conclusions, 

^  Probably  John  Payne  Collier  (i 789-1883),  Shaksperean  critic  and  essayist;  forged 
marginal  corrections  in  first  and  second  folios  of  Shakspeare,  on  the  basis  of  which  he 
brought  out  annotated  editions  and  a  new  text.  His  forgeries  were  afterwards  exposed. 
He  also  forged  ballads,  and  falsified  various  documents  and  public  records. 

F  2  67 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

even  where  he  is  wrong.  Thought  on  my  arrogance  to  men  when  I 
was  but  a  boy,  and  lament  the  want  of  proper  discipline  in  my  youth. 
Read  through  the  part  of  Ford. 

October  Sth. — Did  not  feel  well  at  rehearsal,  but  tried  to  take 
pains.  Went  to  dine  at  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw  Savory  and 
Raymond,  who  described  Miss  Placide  as  a  "  Rule  Britannia  kind  of 
woman."  Was  very  glad  to  hear  that  Mr.  King  had  made  so  favour- 
able an  impression  in  RoUo.  Acted  partially  well,  my  voice  was  not 
in  complete  management.  Some  things  I  did  well — particularly  last 
act.  I  was  very  low-spirited  to-day,  and  in  my  view  of  my  profession 
I  see  httle  ground  for  hope;  the  Press  will  not  accept  me  as  a  first 
actor,  and  my  genius  and  talent,  whatever  it  may  be,  has  not  its  free 
scope  with  a  public  whom  I  fear  (on  account  of  my  family),  and  have 
little  occasion  to  love  for  all  they  have  done  for  me. 

October  9th. — To  my  great  surprise  saw  the  cards  of  Messrs. 
Haworth,  and  learnt  that  the  ladies  of  the  family,  with  Dr.  Dibdin, 
had  paid  a  morning  visit  yesterday.  It  became  a  question,  in  the 
event  of  their  proceeding  further  in  the  acquaintance  by  sending  invita- 
tions, what  course  was  best  to  adopt,  as  the  choice  was  in  our  own 
power.  For  the  mere  convenience  of  making  up  parties  to  meet  our 
London  friends  I  would  willingly  overlook  their  slighting  behaviour 
to  us  before,  and  consult  my  own  convenience ;  but  the  consideration 
of  the  expense  it  might  induce,  the  distraction  of  time  and  thought, 
when  time  and  thought  should  be  applied  to  the  care  of  and  provision 
for  my  children,  made  me  decide  against  accepting  more  than  a  mere 
calling  acquaintance  from  them. 

October  10th. — At  theatre  received  an  anonymous  note  on  the 
subject  of  Lear,  which  came  like  a  friendly  breath  upon  my  dying 
enthusiasm — a  very  kind  note  also  from  Gaspey,  with  extract  from 
the  Observer's  critique  on  Prospero  and  his  own  remarks  on  Macbeth. 
Acted  Prospero  but  indifferently ;  there  is  little  to  sustain  one's  spirits, 
and  mine  could  not  bear  up  against  the  weight  of  the  part  (Dry den's 
Davenant !)  and  the  oppression  of  my  cold.  Came  back  not  well,  and 
read  the  part  of  Oakley,  before  I  went  to  bed,  and,  in  order  to  get  the 
start  of  the  study  on  my  mind,  read  Biron  again  in  bed.  I  wish  to 
play  what  I  have  to  do  in  an  artist-like  manner,  but  I  feel  I  shall  never 
receive  the  recompense  which  comparatively  my  attention  and  care 
might  claim. 

October  11th. — Read  Ford  in  bed,  which  I  am  very  anxious  to 
act  well.  In  reflecting  on  Lear  I  begin  to  apprehend  that  I  cannot 
68 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

make  an  effective  character  of  it.  I  am  oppressed  with  the  magnitude 
of  the  thoughts  he  has  to  utter,  and  shrink  before  the  pictures  of  the 
character  which  my  imagination  presents  to  me.  Did  not  intend  to 
go  to  rehearsal,  but  reflecting  it  was  for  a  novice,  I  thought  it  my 
duty  to  go.  I  saw  Miss  Philhps  and  talked  to  her  (perhaps  more 
kindly  than  wisely)  on  the  subject  of  the  business  cast  to  her.  My 
own  concerns  are  enough  for  me ;  at  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  dined, 
I  also  allowed  my  opinions  to  be  suspected,  if  not  known,  which  I  might 
as  well  have  kept  to  myself.  Nature  has  given  us  two  ears,  but  only 
one  mouth — why  do  we  not  take  the  hint  ? 

October  19,th. — Went  to  the  rehearsal  of  Oakley.  Many  jests  in 
the  green-room,  one  of  Fawcett  ^  falling  through  a  trap  on  a  man 
and  thrashing  him  for  it.  Went  to  Garrick  Club.  Read  papers. 
Lit.  Gazette  and  scrutiny  on  Bunn.  Dined  and  saw  Raymond, 
Williams,  Fladgate,  Blood,  T.  P.  Cooke,  Duruset — looked  through 
magazines.  Saw  Grattan's  memorandum  of  his  own  play  under  the 
hand  of  Edmund  Kean — looked  into  some  of  the  vulgar  abuse  of 
Eraser.^  Read  Oakley.  Acted  with  more  self-possession  and  nature 
than  formerly,  and  should  have  done  much  better  but  for  Miss  P.'s 
interruption.  Talfourd  called  in  room ;  supped  with  him  at  Garrick 
Club.  Saw  that  reptile  Westmacott  behind  scenes ;  he  betrays  his 
consciousness  of  having  injured  me.  Talfourd — friend — told  me  of 
the  general  denial  of  my  ability  to  act  Shakspeare !  ! 

October  12th. — Late  in  bed  made  late  rising.  Gave  about  five 
hours  to  the  study  of  Pierre.^  It  has  occurred  to  me  to  write  a 
current  review  of  this  season  and  endeavour  to  show  the  incompetency 
of  Mr.  Bunn  from  his  ignorance  of  the  art  he  has  to  deal  with.  "  Send 
them  on  "  is  his  plan  of  tactics;  like  old  Thornton's,  "they  must  go 
forward  I  "  Thinking  over  Grattan's  Kean  made  me  consider  what 
was  Kean's  generosity — his  Irish  benefit  was  a  trick — his  drunken 
prodigality  and  his  distressed  family  make  up  a  bad  account  of 
generosity.  It  is  not  worth  undeceiving  the  world,  which  is  willingly 
deceived ;  but  it  is  well  to  know  the  world  and  see  the  hollowness  of 
its  judgment  in  the  value  of  its  opinion.  Our  own  good  opinion  is 
all  we  ought  to  care  for,  but  our  title  to  that  ought  to  be  severely 
questioned.  At  dinner  with  Talfourd  (Price,  Serle  and  afterwards 
Forster)  I  indulged  my  besetting  vice — for  it  is  more  than  weakness 

^  John   Fawcett   (1768-1837),  playwright   and  comedian ;    he  and   his  contemporary, 
T.   P.  Cooke,  were  reputed  to  be  the  best  Falstaffs  of  their  day. 

'^  Frastr's  Magatine.  '  In  Venice  Preserved. 

69 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

— in  speaking  on  Knowles,  when  I  might  better  have  kept  silence. 
The  world  is  to  me  a  lesson  which  I  am  ever  learning,  but  I  should 
die  without  being  perfect  in  it.  May  my  example  and  experience  teach 
my  children — and  I  am  content  to  bear. 

October  14t/i. — Went  to  the  rehearsal  of  Venice  Preservedy  curious 
to  see  the  bepuffed  Mrs.  Sloman,*  who  was  standing  on  the  stage  as 
I  entered.  I  listened  with  interest  to  her  opening  speech,  but  the 
first  five  lines  spoke  disappointment  to  me.  I  soon,  as  the  play  pro- 
ceeded, became  convinced  that  no  permanent  success  could  follow  so 
artificial  and  vulgar  a  manner.  At  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  dined, 
saw  some  rather  favourable  criticisms  on  Oakley,  which  gratified  me 
in  making  me  feel  that  I  was  not  now  so  much  the  object  of  personal 
dislike.  My  acting  of  Pierre  did  not  satisfy  me,  though  I  felt  it  to 
be  better  than  my  former  efforts  in  the  part.  Mrs.  Sloman  more  than 
realized  my  anticipations ;  it  was  the  worst  kind  of  rant  that  pervaded 
her  performance.  Wrote  a  note  of  excuse  to  Talfourd  for  next 
Sunday's  dinner,  in  consequence  of  being  announced  every  night  this 
week. 

October  16th. — Seeing  immense  placards  of  Mrs.  Sloman's  success, 
I  called  at  the  Garrick  to  see  yesterday's  papers,  all  of  which,  except 
the  Post,  let  her  down  gently.  What  an  injudicious  ass  Mr.  Bunn 
is !  Saw  Knowles  at  Garrick.  Nothing  could  be  cooler  than  his  greet- 
ing, as  mine,  I  daresay,  to  him.  If  ever  a  man  was  at  heart  ungrateful, 
it  is  this  man — I  would  not  have  his  genius  for  his  heart.  At  rehearsal 
Cooper  spoke  to  me  about  Antony,  and  tried  to  cast  it.  Oh !  what 
these  managers  are !  Bunn  also  talked  to  me ;  it  is  evident  he  already 
begins  to  feel  himself  enscraped. 

October  lltJi. — Lay  late  in  bed,  thinking  over  characters ;  and 
busied  myself  in  chambers  during  the  short  interval  before  rehearsal. 
Attended  a  very  tedious  rehearsal  of  Cymbeline,  in  the  course  of  which 
I  went  over  to  the  Garrick  Club  to  dine  and  read  the  papers.  Mrs. 
Sloman  seems  a  complete  failure,  and  certainly  she  communicates  no 
pleasure  to  me  in  her  acting — not  one  tone  or  look  of  truth  have  I 
yet  witnessed  from  her.  Our  rehearsals  are  more  like  country  ones 
than  those  of  a  patent  theatre.  Acted  part  of  Posthumus  with  free- 
dom, energy  and  truth,  but  there  must  have  been  observable  an 
absence  of  all  finish.  To-night  there  was  a  delay  of  nearly  half  an 
hour  and  consequent  clamour  at  Covent  Garden,  the  singers  having 

^  A  tragic  actress  who  had  made  some  reputation  at  Norwich,  which  she  failed  to 
maintain  in  London. 

70 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

been  unable  to  go  through  their  songs.  The  play  of  Antony  and 
Cleopatra  was  called  for  to-morrow  as  a  new  play,  but  I  induced 
Mr.  Cooper  to  alter  it  to  Saturday.  On  coming  home  read  part  of 
Antony.  The  more  I  see  of  the  management  of  Mr.  Bunn,  the  more 
I  find  cause  to  blame  the  proprietors  who  gave  the  theatre  to  him ! 

October  18th. — Read  over  Antony  and  Cleopatra  in  preparation 
for  the  next  day's  repetition  of  the  task  to  the  performers.  Continued 
my  attention  to  Antony  through  the  evening.  My  long  absences  from 
home  make  my  visits  there  so  many  holidays ;  I  ought  not  to  indulge 
in  the  delicious  idleness  into  which  I  fall,  but  there  is  so  much  to 
say  and  to  enjoy  in  the  society  of  my  dear  wife  and  children,  that  I 
am  unable  to  resist  its  influence. 

October  19th. — Rehearsed  the  Stranger.  Mrs.  Sloman  thanked  me 
for  my  support  in  Isabella ;  I  do  not  know  whether  this  was  conceit 
or  humility.  I  am  inclined  to  believe  the  former.  Afterwards  I  read 
the  play  of  Antony  and  Cleopatra  in  the  green-room,  with  which,  to 
my  surprise,  the  performers  expressed  themselves  much  pleased.  I 
acted  but  indifferently — may  claim  some  right  to  excuse  myself  in  part 
from  the  noise  made  by  the  irruption  of  the  half-price.  My  first 
suspicion  of  Mrs.  Sloman  is  fully  confirmed ;  she  has  neither  imagina- 
tion, feeling  nor  grace — of  course,  cannot  have  expression. 

October  ^Oth. — Lay  in  bed  meditating  on  the  characters  now  on 
my  mind  for  study,  and  occasionally  thinking  on  the  information, 
foolishly  given  me  by  Gaspey  last  night,  of  the  Satirist's  abuse  of 
me ;  he  told  me  that  it  dismissed  my  Macbeth  with  the  simple  epithet 
"execrable,"  which  gave  me  very  little  concern.  It  seems  strange  to 
me  how  men  can  cherish  malignant  feelings,  and  how  they  can  seek 
to  gratify  them  at  the  expense  of  truth ;  there  is  much  baseness 
certainly  in  human  nature.  Wrote  two  notes,  one  to  Mrs.  Hatton 
declining  to  subscribe  for  her  book,  another  to  Mrs.  Lewis,  enclosing 
£1  for  a  poor  sick  actor ;  I  do  not  like  to  expend  my  money,  but  the 
really  wretched  have  a  claim  which  duty  bids  me  not  evade.  Read 
over  my  part  of  Antony,  and  afterwards  that  of  Cardinal  Wolsey. 
Went  to  dine  at  Talfourd's  chambers,  where  I  met  Price,  Serle, 
Knowles,  Abbott,  Forster  and  two  Reading  gentlemen.^  Spent  a  very 
agreeable  evening,  but  drank  rather  more  wine  than  was  good  for 
me,  though  begging  for  coffee.  Knowles  was  very  dejected,  perhaps 
it  is  not  charitable  to  think  that  his  oddity  looked  like  acting  occasion- 
ally ;  still  he  was  very  odd — to  me  as  cordial  as  he  was  cold  some  days 
'  Talfourd  was  a  native  of  Reading,  for  which  borough  he  afterwards  sat  in  Pnrh'ament. 

71 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

ago.  Forster  walked  home  with  me  at  a  very  late  hour ;  he  appears 
quite  an  enthusiast;  I  like  him. 

October  21«t. — Headache  and  nausea  were  this  morning  the  penalty 
incurred  for  last  night's  enjoyment ;  I  overcame  them  just  in  time  to 
reach  rehearsal  at  the  moment  I  was  wanted.  All  was  confusion ;  so 
much  tumult  and  noise,  that  it  quite  made  me  nervous.  Went  to  the 
Garrick  Club,  where  I  dined.  Met  T.  Hill,^  Bartley  and  Robinson ; 
read  the  papers.  Bartley  told  me  that  the  management  was  three 
hours  (  !)  in  settling  to-night's  play.  Read  in  a  sleepy  manner  Wolsey. 
Acted  it  not  quite  to  my  own  satisfaction,  for  I  did  not  feel  collected, 
nor  always  identified  with  the  part,  but  Talfourd,  who  came  into  my 
room,  praised  it  very  much  (still,  he  is  so  good-natured),  and  Cooper 
observed  how  well  the  last  scene  went.  I  might  have  done  it  better. 
Read  Hotspur,  on  which  character  I  received  some  hints  from  Tal- 
fourd, which,  if  I  had  time  to  polish  my  examination  of,  would  greatly 
improve  my  performance. 

October  22nd. — Rehearsed  well,  but  still  all  was  uncertain  and 
unsettled  in  my  mind.  Dowton  ^  recommended  me  to  try  Benedict. 
I  must  pause  before  I  decide  on  it ;  I  stated  positively  my  inability  to 
act  Osmond  ( !)  on  Monday.  Notes  from  Captain  Medwin,^  whom  I 
do  not  like,  and  a  Mr.  Carroll,  wanting  an  engagement ;  answered 
both.  Lay  down  to  recruit  my  spirits  and  read  Hotspur.  Acted 
Hotspur — I  scarcely  know  how.  I  could  and  should  have  done  it 
well  if  I  had  had  rehearsal  to  prove  myself,  and  a  few  days  to  think 
upon  it.  Received  a  severe  blow  on  the  eye  and  cheek  in  falling, 
which  I  apprehend  will  be  a  large  black  eye.  Cooper  thinks  I  am 
so  furious  and  so  strong !     Felt  tired  and  dissatisfied  with  myself. 

October  24<th. — On  arriving  in  town  hurried  to  rehearsal,  where 
I  saw  Mr.  King,  congratulating  him  on  his  success ;  he  did  not  appear 
quite  so  modest  as  before,  but  how  very  excusable  under  the  applause 
he  has  received !  He  afterwards  told  me  he  felt  himself  in  a  "  false 
position  "  and  that  he  **was  in  a  fever."     Received  a  book  of  Castle 

^  Thomas  Hill  (1760-1840),  a  familiar  figure  in  journalistic  and  theatrical  circles; 
depicted  as  "Hull"  in  Theodore  Hook's  Gilbert  Gumey ;  a  liberal  entertainer  and  dis- 
criminating book -collector ;  mentioned  as  "a  character"  in  many  contemporary  Journals 
and  Reminiscences. 

*  William  Dowton  (1764-1851),  an  actor  of  note  ;  his  principal  parts  were  Dr.  Cantwell, 
FalstafF,  Sir  Anthony  Absolute,  Sir  Christopher  Curry, 

'  Thomas  Medwin  (1788-1869),  cousin  of  Shelley,  through  whom  he  made  the  acquaint- 
ance of  B)n:on  ;  wrote  a  Life  of  Shelley  and  Conversations  of  Lord  Byron,  neither  of  which  is 
regarded  as  trustworthy. 
72 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Spectre — a  fit  play  for  Mr.  Bunn's  management.  In  ray  chambers 
found  a  parcel  containing  notes  and  a  play  from  Mr.  Hiscox,  a  very 
dull  bore,  who  wanted  me  to  read  and  champion  his  rejected  play. 
Answered  Mr.  Hiscox.  Lay  down  and  tried  to  read  Werner,  but 
was  too  tired  for  anything  but  sleep.  Took  especial  pains  in  acting 
Werner,  made  due  pause,  so  as  to  discriminate  clearly,  and  subdued 
all  tendency  to  exaggeration.  Satisfied  myself.  Read  Osmond — ugh  I 
trash  I 

October  25th. — Before  I  went  out  a  note  arrived  from  Captain 
Medwin,  requesting  an  order,  which  I  sent — "  I  do  not  like  thee,  Dr. 
Fell."  At  rehearsal,  where  I  went  for  Mrs.  Sloman's  scenes,  Mr. 
Cooper  informed  me  of  the  favourable  newspaper  reports,  which  I 
went  to  read  at  the  Garrick  Club ;  was  truly  sorry  to  see  Mr.  King 
so  severely  handled,  much,  I  believe,  resulting  from  Mr.  Bunn's 
injudicious  puffery. 

October  9nth. — Read  the  Spectator,  a  paper  that  extols  ,Mr. 
Knowles  as  an  artist  above  myself,  and  thought  upon  and  read  part 
of  the  character  of  Antony.  Spent  some  time  in  my  dressing-room, 
and  on  coming  down  settled  my  accounts ;  read  Leontes,  and 
endeavoured  to  methodize  and  temper  with  more  skill  my  delivery  of 
the  passionate  part.  Read  some  judicious  remarks  on  the  evils  of 
English  society,  particularly  in  the  point  of  pride  of  caste,  extracted 
in  the  Spectator.  After  dinner  I  bestowed  some  attention  on  the 
reading  of  Ford,  and  listened  to  Captain  Ross's  narrative  ;  after  which  I 
read  Hotspur  through,  and  then  read  family  prayers.  The  demand 
of  the  theatre  upon  my  time  leaves  me  none  for  attention  to  my  mind's 
improvement. 

October  28t^. — Arrived  in  town,  found  myself  late  for  the 
rehearsal,  which  was  called  at  ten.  Went  to  the  theatre,  and  under 
the  sensation  of  wearied  body  and  mind  proceeded  with  the  play.  In 
the  wardrobe  found  no  dl'ijss  for  me,  and  lost  my  temper  at  the  black- 
guard (I  have  no  other  word  descriptive  of  the  man)  Bunn  for  his 
behaviour.  Reflection,  however,  convinced,  and  convinces  me,  that  if 
I  want  to  yield  him  occasion  of  success,  I  shall  do  so  by  passion. 
Read  some  very  warm  panegyrics  on  Wolsey  and  Werner  by  Forster 
— dined  at  the  Garrick.  Medwin  sent  for  an  order,  which  I  refused, 
having  none  to  give.  Read  a  little  of  Leontes,  oppressed  with  weari- 
ness. Acted  very  ill,  being  literally  imperfect — this  disgusting 
management !  Notes  from  Mr.  Atherstone,  an  ass !  Mr.  Crooke,  a 
knave !     Mr.  Hiscox,  a  bore ;  Mr.  Young,  I  know  not  who ;  worried 

73 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1888 

and  kept  up  to  a  late  hour  in  answering  them.  Sent  a  note  to  Cooper 
stating  my  inability  to  play  Ford  on  Tuesday. 

October  9,9th. — Awoke  with  uncomfortable  thoughts  upon  the 
conduct  of  the  theatre ;  distressed  by  the  exacting  ignorant  manage- 
ment. Soothed  down  my  angry  musings  into  a  resolution  to  be  quiet 
and  to  receive  annoyances  quietly,  but  to  stand  jfirmly  upon  strong 
grounds  of  resistance.  Answered  several  notes,  and  proceeded  to  read 
Ford,  which  I  did  with  much  attention.  Sent  a  poor  fellow  with  his 
drama,  at  his  request,  to  Abbott.  Answered  very  kindly  Serle's 
request  to  read  again  his  play,  as  upon  my  decision  is  to  rest  the 
performance  of  it.  Took  the  note  to  Miller's,  where  I  saw  Serle  and 
explained  to  him  how  much  I  was  oppressed  by  the  management. 
Dined  at  the  Garrick  Club,  found  very  pleasant  mention  of  my  Leontes 
in  the  papers,  and  held  a  cheerful  conversation  with  some  whom  once 
I  thought  my  enemies.  I  read  through  Hotspur,  but  failed  in  giving 
the  effect  of  the  previous  evening  to  it,  it  was  not  collected,  nor  artist- 
like, an  absence  of  finish  and  point  throughout.  Is  this  my  fault, 
or  to  be  attributed  to  the  hurried  state  of  mind  in  which  the  manager 
keeps  me?  If  it  be  the  last,  I  ought  to  combat  and  overcome  its  evil 
influence. 

October  SOth. — Acted  Werner  fairly,  not  so  well  in  some  parts, 
but  better  in  others  than  the  previous  evening.  Time,  time,  and  dis- 
crimination; but  time  ensures  discrimination.  Poor  King  was  hardly 
used  by  the  audience ;  he  came  to  speak  to  me,  and  I  gave  him  the 
best  comfort  I  could. 

October  Slst. — At  Garrick  Club  saw  the  papers,  laudatory  of 
myself  in  Werner,  and  announcing  the  damnation  of  melodrama.  Met 
Mr.  Bernard,  the  author,  very  dejected,  poor  fellow !  What  a  change 
from  the  smile  of  hope  that  lit  up  his  countenance  a  day  or  two  ago ! 
Mr.  Bunn  has  announced  the  Merry  Wives — if  for  me,  I  will  be  quiet. 
Gave  a  good  reading  to  Ford,  and  sent  notes  to  some  advertising 
servants  and  to  Wallace.  Received  three  plays.  Countess  of  Provence, 
Adomo  and  The  Bridal,  from  a  Mr.  Girard  by  order  of  Mr.  Bunn 
without  word  of  comment  or  explanation ;  this  so  far  from  vexes  me 
that  it  really  amuses  me ;  I  like  to  see  such  a  person  show  himself  out 
in  things  that  are  innoxious.  I  also  received  a  call  for  Ford,  on 
which  I  sent  a  note  to  Mr.  Cooper  explaining  my  inability  to  play  the 
part  on  Tuesday.  Mr.  Bunn  appears  to  me  in  a  Malay  humour,  ready 
to  run  amok — pitiful  wretch  I  Read  Macbeth  over  to  correct  some 
faults  in  my  last  performance. 

74 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

November  1st. — Rose  late  and  did  little  before  rehearsal  (Ford). 
At  the  theatre  I  heard  Dowton  speaking  to  Duruset  on  the  subject 
of  Kemble's  erudition,  which  I  have  always  believed  to  have  been 
falsely  attributed  to  him,  and  quoting  Cumberland,^  Sheridan,^  and 
G.  Colman,^  as  persons  who  had  a  most  contemptuous  opinion  of  his 
classical  acquirements.  Cumberland,  a  ripe  scholar,  said  that  he 
scarcely  knew  anything  of  Latin  and  no  Greek  at  all.  A  man,  called 
Jones,  said  he  was  only  a  year  at  Douay  I  !  In  a  conference  with 
Bunn  it  was  decided  that  Ford  should  be  laid  aside,  and  that 
Antony  and  Cleopatra  should  be  done  (sacrificed)  on  Monday  sennight. 
Mr.  Bunn  is  such  a  blackguard,  and  so  out  of  the  pale  of  respectability, 
that  I  have  resolved  to  have  no  more  dealings  with  him,  but  transact 
all  my  business  with  Mr.  Cooper.  Acted  Macbeth  passably,  held  in 
check  by  Mrs.  Sloman,  who  I  think  derived  her  fire  from  what  would 
have  quenched  many  others. 

November  4ith. — Came  to  town.  Ran  directly  to  rehearsal  and 
very  attentively  went  through  Henry  V.  My  dress  was  beggarly  as 
usual  from  the  theatre,  and  inappropriate  from  my  own  wardrobe. 
Dined  at  the  Garrick,  where  I  saw  Yates,*  from  whom  I  got  an  order 
for  Colonel  Birch.  Went  home ;  lay  down  in  bed  and  read  Henry 
very  attentively.  Acted  it  with  more  self-possession  than  I  have  felt 
before  a  London  audience  for  years.  Three  accidents,  however, 
occurred  (on  such  trifles  does  an  actor's  success  depend !)  that  damped 
the  general  effect  of  the  play  which,  I  incline  to  think,  I  acted  well : 
my  truncheon  broke  in  my  hand  during  the  great  speech  to  Westmore- 
land, which  for  a  moment  disconcerted  me — Mr.  Russell  was  not  called 
to  his  time  and  cut  out  his  part — and  Miss  Phillips  bewildered  me  in 
the  last  scene  by  forgetting  her  speech  to  me.  I  never,  in  my  own 
mind,  acted  the  part  so  well.  After  the  play  I  marked  two  acts  of 
Antony  and  Cleopatra ,  and  at  a  very  late  hour  went  to  bed  and  thought 
upon  Othello. 

November  Bth. — Was  up  in  good  time  and  out  to  the  theatre  with 

'  Richard  Cumberland  ( 1 732-181 1),  Fellow  of  Trinity  College,  Cambridge;  Secretary  to 
the  Board  of  Trade  ;  wrote  various  plays. 

~  In  point  of  classical  attainments  it  is  questionable  whether  Sheridan  was  much  better 
off  than  Kemble. 

*  George  Colman  the  younger  (1762-1836),  dramatist  and  examiner  of  plays  {1824-1836) ; 
educated  at  Westminster,  Christchurch,  Oxford,  and  Aberdeen  University. 

*  Frederick  Henry  Yates  (1797-1842),  actor  and  theatrical  manager;  possessed  con- 
siderable talent  and  versatility,  but  never  attained  the  front  rank.  He  was  the  father  of 
Edmund  Yates,  the  novelist  and  journalist,  and  the  husband  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Yates,  an 
accomplished  actress. 

75 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

the  book  of  Antony.  Rehearsed  part  of  Antony  and  noted  the  sulki- 
ness  of  Miss  Kenneth — a  person  surely  not  at  all  fit  to  be  in  a  London 
theatre.  Offered  some  advice  to  Miss  Phillips,  to  whom  Bartley 
behaved  very  ill  about  the  Queen  in  Richard.  Mr.  Cooper  showed 
me  my  name  in  the  bills  for  Othello  on  Friday  next,  which  I  said  I 
would  not  do.  Why  should  I  be  thrust  before  my  audience  in  an 
unprepared  state,  because  Mr.  Bunn's  incapacity  involves  him  in  a 
dilemma  ? 

November  6th. — Rehearsed  Antony ;  inclined,  from  aversion  to  rouo, 
to  yield  on  the  question  of  Othello;  dined  at  Garrick  Club.  I  gave 
Cooper  notice  that  on  the  terms  of  my  engagement  I  claimed,  in  right 
of  choice,  lago — which  induced  a  correspondence  that  I  retain  as 
evidences  of  Mr.  Bunn's  character.  I  received  his  note  to  Cooper  after 
twelve  o'clock,  and  did  not  see  the  simple  grounds  on  which  the  ques- 
tion rested,  viz.  I  could,  or  I  could  not.  Sat  up  until  four  o'clock, 
writing  answers  and  copying  notes.  More  annoyed  than  I  ought  to 
have  been  by  a  mere  question  of  law.  Acted  Werner  very  well,  and 
to  a  fair  house,  though  Mr.  Bunn  said  it  was  .£62 !  I ! 

November  1th. — Rose  very  early  from  anxiety  to  settle  this  un- 
pleasant business ;  "  in  nocte  consilium  "  the  view  I  now  took  of  it  was 
totally  different  from  that  of  last  night.  I  looked  with  perfect  in- 
difference on  any  possible  attempt  of  Mr.  Bunn's  to  embroil  me  with 
the  public,  regarding  the  matter  as  merely  a  difference  of  opinion,  on 
which  I  must  be  the  best  judge;  saw  that  I  had  written  too  much,  and 
set  off  to  ask  counsel  of  Wallace.  He  at  once  decided  so,  and  agreeing 
together  on  what  should  be  said,  he  wrote  a  note  of  about  ten  lines, 
with  which,  after  just  shaking  hands  with  Lardner,  I  omnibused  down 
to  Drury  Lane.  Thence  I  returned  to  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I 
looked  at  the  papers  and  talked  for  two  hours  with  Mills,  then  went 
and  presented  myself  to  rehearse  lago  to  Mr.  Cooper.  All  was  right, 
and  lago  it  was  to  be.  Cooper  sent  me  afterwards  the  second  epistle 
of  Mr.  Bunn  on  the  subject,  which  I  copied.  Most  thankful  to  God  for 
the  relief  I  felt  in  disengaging  myself  from  that  ruffian,  Mr.  Bunn. 
Read  first  act  of  Hamlet. 

November  8th. — Began  my  day  with  the  rehearsal  of  lago,  in  which 
I  had  to  encounter  and  try  to  fortify  myself  against  the  prospect  of 
an  imperfect  Roderigo,  the  gentleman  only  having  received  the  part 
the  morning  before,  or  late  the  previous  evening.  This  is  most 
shameful.  Dined  at  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw  Fladgate  and 
Harley ;  returning,  met  Knowles  and  Mr.  Weekes,  an  actor  whom  I 
did  not  at  all  recollect.     Wrote  to  Catherine  and  had  a  visit  from 

76 


1388]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Ellen  and  one  from  Dow,  who  sat  long,  too  long  for  the  necessary 
self-possession  and  nerve  of  lago.  I  must  be  resolute  when  I  have 
important  characters  on  my  mind,  and  must  refuse  to  expend  either 
spirits,  thought,  or  voice  in  idle  conversation.  Of  course  I  acted 
indifferently,  and  I  think  I  may  ascribe  much  of  my  deficiency  to  the 
miserable  support.  Wallace  came  round  to  my  room.  I  was  satisfied 
that  I  acted  ill.  Mr.  Perkins  lent  me  a  volume  of  plays,  containing 
one  of  Antony  and  Cleopatra,  by  Sir  Charles  Sedley,  in  rhyme — mere 
trash.  Forgot  to  notice  that  in  going  to  the  theatre  this  morning  I 
saw  my  name  in  the  bills  for  Hastings,  in  which  Mr.  King  had  been 
announced  the  whole  week  at  Covent  Garden  for  to-morrow  I 

November  9th. — Saw  a  nursemaid  for  Catherine,  who  looked  more 
like  a  producer  than  a  rearer  of  children ;  dismissed  her.  Rehearsed 
Jane  Shore  without  Dmnont  or  Ratcliffe  in  order  to  regenerate  the 
drama.  Dined  at  Garrick  Club,  saw  the  papers,  which  gave  me 
certainly  not  less  commendation  than  I  merited  in  lago,  if  indeed  they 
did  not  give  me  more ;  but  I  was  knocked  up.  Oh,  Mr.  Warde's 
**mi-i-i-ser-r-ry !  "  Sent  Colonel  Birch  orders,  and  wrote  to  dear 
Catherine.  Forster  called,  whom  I  have  real  pleasure  in  seeing.  I 
returned  Mr.  Grainger's  play  of  Adorno  with  a  note  of  self- 
exculpation.  I  acted  Lord  Hastings  well — really  well ;  I  almost  satis- 
fied myself;  a  little  more  truth  in  part  of  the  last  scene  would  have 
made  it  a  very  commendable  performance. 

November  10th. — Dined  at  the  Garrick  Club,  and  looked  at  all 
the  papers  except  the  Age,  which  I  expected  would  abuse  me.  I 
certainly  acted  lago  inefficiently,  but  for  it  must  throw  much  of  the 
blame  on  Roderigo  and  Othello.  Looked  through  Fraser's  disgusting 
magazine.  Came  home  after  coffee  to  resume  my  reading  of  Hamlet, 
about  which  I  am  most  anxious  and  anticipate  disappointment. 

November  11th. — Birthday  of  my  beloved,  my  adored  Catherine ; 
God  for  ever  and  for  ever  bless  her !  Amen.  This  day  I  devote  to 
Hamlet,  for  which  I  post  to  rehearsal  at  ten,  though  feeling  the  pains 
and  languor  of  fatigue  before  entering  on  my  day's  work.  Rehearsed 
Hamlet  so  well,  that  could  I  act  it  in  the  same  manner  I  should  not 
fear  criticism — but  diffidence  and  nervousness  have  to  come  with  night. 
Mr.  Baker  (Guildenstern)  was  ordered  to  leave  the  rehearsal,  but  I 
said  if  he  left  I  would.  Dined,  seeing  newspapers,  which  praised  my 
Lord  Hastings,  at  Garrick  Club.  Found  notes  at  home,  which  I  could 
not  read,  but  betook  myself  to  bed,  where  I  endeavoured  to  impress 
my  purpose  in  Hamlet  on  my  mind,  and  to  gain  some  refreshment  to 
my  body  and  spirits.    Letters  from  Mr.  Close  and  Butler  about  a  play, 

77 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1888 

which  I  could  not  read.  I  acted  Hamlet — how?  Not  so  well  as  I 
rehearsed  it,  but  still  I  think  well.  I  can  infuse  more  effect,  and 
spread  more  finish  over  it,  if  the  newspapers  will  only  give  me  the 
confidence  in  the  audience  necessary  to  effect  so  much.  A  Mr.  Hiscox 
followed  me  out  of  the  theatre  and  very  ludicrously  badgered  me  about 
his  play. 

November  12th. — Have  not  yet  seen  the  papers,  but  can  scarcely 
expect  them  to  gainsay  their  former  opinions  on  ray  Hamlet.  I  must 
endeavour  to  "  unassuming  win  my  way."  Rehearsed  Antony,  and  was 
gratified  in  reading  a  good  report  of  my  Hamlet  in  the  Herald  and 
Post.  Acted  Prospero  merely  in  reference  to  general  style.  Notes 
from  Mr.  Lough  on  my  Hamlet,  from  Mills  on  the  Bridal.  Set  off 
after  the  play  for  Elstree  through  a  fog  so  dense  that  I  thought  at 
Kilburn  I  must  turn  back  :  we  ran  on  the  bank,  against  a  gig,  a  post, 
and  at  last  to  my  great  comfort  arrived  safely. 

November  IMh. — Went  to  rehearse  William  Tell;  was  much  con- 
cerned to  hear  and  read  of  the  success  of  the  gewgaw  opera  at  Covent 
Garden,  as  likely  to  protract  the  period  of  this  wretched  fellow's 
management,  and  to  confirm  the  ignorant  in  the  belief  of  the  extinction 
of  dramatic  art.  Acted  William  Tell  middlingly.  The  glee  and  chorus 
and  all  the  female  peasants  were  omitted,  because  the  chorus  were  at 
Covent  Garden. 

November  15th. — Read  a  little  of  Plutarch's  Cato;  how  he  brings 
you  into  the  chambers,  nay,  into  the  very  hearts  of  men !  I  began 
Hamlet  very  languidly,  my  spirits  were  low,  and  my  mind  not  in  the 
part.  I  felt  the  absence  of  what  the  French  justly  term,  inspiration ; 
but  in  the  middle  of  the  second  act  I  rallied,  and  asserted  myself 
through  the  remainder  of  the  play,  acting  the  advice  to  players  and 
some  passages  better  than  on  Monday. 

November  16th. — Went  to  the  theatre  about  my  dress  for  Antony, 
which  I  persisted,  after  evasion  and  delay,  in  seeing.  Was  disgusted 
with  the  ignorant  impertinence  of  Mr.  Cooper  informing  me,  that 
because  he  studied  his  parts  at  so  short  a  notice,  I  might  also  do  the 
same.  Called  at  hairdresser's,  and  at  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw 
the  papers,  and  railed  (qu.  wisely?)  at  the  state  of  things.  Jerdan 
hoped  I  would  keep  account  of  the  various  absurdities  in  the  manage- 
ment, which  I  will  do.  Read  Plutarch's  life  of  Antony,  and  then 
gave  a  careful  reading  to  the  part  itself,  which  is  long,  and  I  fear  not 
effective. 

November  ISth. — Acted  Werner  as  well   as  I  could  against  my 

78 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

illness.  Made  several  strong  effects  by  management  and  taking  time — 
the  great  secret.  My  indisposition  was  so  manifest  that  Mr.  Cooper 
sent  over  for  Mr.  Bunn,  counselling  him  not  to  keep  me  in  the  bills 

for  the  morrow.    Mr.  B seemed  not  to  think  me  ill  or  hoarse,  but 

offered  to  "shut  the  theatre  if  I  wished."  I  peremptorily  declined, 
and  said  I  was  ready  to  act,  if  able.  He  decided,  it  seems,  on  closing 
to-morrow.  Settled  dresses  for  Antony,  of  which  nothing  was  allowed 
to  be  new  but  a  cloak. 

November  19th. — On  walking  through  the  streets  from  the 
Hummum's  to  my  chambers  the  inhalation  of  the  air  was  like  breathing 
prickles.  I  met  Mr.  Lee,  who  noticed  my  illness  the  previous  evening. 
Found  dear  Catherine  weak,  but  better.  I  felt  very  unwell  myself, 
cold,  hoarse,  and  with  a  catch  on  my  breath.  Went  to  rehearsal  of 
Antony,  which  was  in  a  very  backward  state,  and  mounted  with  very 
inappropriate  scenery,  though  beautifully  painted  by  Stanfield.  Earle 
called  to  see  me,  said  I  ought  to  lay  by  for  several  days,  and  forbade 
me  to  play  on  the  morrow.  I  reported  his  words  to  Cooper  and  left 
the  rehearsal  at  a  quarter  before  five !  Wallace  called  and  Cooper  sent 
a  note  from  Bunn  requiring,  "  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  public," 
Earle's  certificate.  On  Henley's  return  from  Savoy  and  Moore's  I  sent 
him  to  H.  Earle ;  he  kept  me  in  a  state  of  some  anxiety,  not  returning 
till  nearly  ten — with  a  certificate,  ordering  me  not  to  play  for  "  several 
days,"  which  I  instantly  sent  "to  Mr.  Bunn's  satisfaction." 

November  9,0th. — Forster  called,  and  had  a  long  theatrical  gossip ; 
Catherine  and  Letitia  liked  him  very  much.  Cooper  called,  and  on  his 
promise  that  I  should  have  Friday  and  Saturday  for  rest,  obtained 
my  consent  to  play  the  following  day.  Bunn  had  intended  publishing 
my  certificate,  but  on  perusal  withheld  it.  Earle  called,  desired  me  not 
to  play  on  the  morrow,  if  not  feeling  perfectly  well.     Sent  note  to 

the  theatre  to  that  effect,  notwithstanding  which  Mr.  B persisted  in 

announcing  me.  Read  Antony  through  the  whole  evening  and  dis- 
covering many  things  to  improve  and  bring  out  the  effect  of  the  part, 
though  unable  from  a  pain  at  my  heart,  impeding  my  respiration,  to 
practise  it.  I  found  that  I  had  just  got  an  insight  into  the  general 
effect,  but  had  no  power  of  furnishing  a  correct  picture  or  of  making 
any  strong  hits. 

November  21st. — Went  to  rehearsal,  certainly  with  amended  health, 
but  still  rather  hoarse,  not  quite  free  from  the  pain  at  the  heart,  and 
generally  depressed  and  weak.  I  remained  there  until  four  o'clock, 
and  protested  to  Messrs.   Wilmott  and  Cooper  against  the  hurried 

79 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1888 

manner  in  which  I  was  thrust  before  the  public.  Mr.  Bunn  came  for 
a  short  time,  and  spoke  to  me  about  Lear,  to  which  I  returned  a 
vague  answer,  and  about  "a  great  go,"  on  which  he  wished  to  speak 
with  Stanfield  and  myself.  Felt  quite  knocked  up  and  very  unwell. 
I  was  so  w  retchedly  low,  fretted  and  exhausted,  that  I  could  not  speak 
to  him.  I  nursed  the  minutes  on  the  sofa  until  five,  when  I  went  to  the 
theatre.  I  acted — what  shall  I  say?  As  well  as  I  could  under  the 
circumstances ;  was  raw,  efforty  and  uncertain  in  the  scenes  of  passion, 
but  had  just  taken  precaution  enough  to  make  my  pauses,  although  not 
to  make  use  of  them — ^it  was  not  a  performance  to  class  with  what  I 
have  lately  done.  Wallace  and  Dow  came  into  my  room.  Wallace 
congratulated  me!     Beaten. 

November  S,2nd. — Went  to  the  theatre  to  speak  to  Cooper  about 
my  exhausted  state  of  body  and  mind.  From  him  I  learned  that  I 
was  announced  for  W^illiam  Tell  to-morrow ;  he  quite  sympathized  with 
me,  and  took  from  me  a  proposal  to  Mr.  Bunn,  to  the  ejffect  that  "  if 
he  would  for  the  next  fortnight  limit  my  performances  to  three  nights 
per  week  I  would  try  to  go  on  without  impeding  the  business — if 
not,  I  would  be  guided  by  Mr.  Earle."  Cooper  went  with  me  to  see 
some  very  beautiful  gold  coins,  among  which  were  several  of  Antony. 
At  G.  Club  saw  Fladgate,  and  spoke  to  him  on  the  subject  of  a  bust 
to  Mrs.  Siddons.  Read  the  newspapers,  which  were,  I  thought,  very 
liberal  in  their  strictures  on  Antony.  Acted  Antony  better  to-night 
than  last  night,  but  it  is  an  hasty,  unprepared,  unfinished  performance. 
Mr.  Cooper's  report  of  Mr.  Bunn's  reply  to  my  proposal  was  that  he 
asked,  "Is  Mr.  Macready  disposed  to  give  up  half  his  salary  for  that 
fortnight  ?  " 

November  23rd. — H.  Earle's  answer,  desiring  me  to  rest  from 
acting,  was  brought.  I  acted  languidly,  but  not  very  badly,  W^illiam 
Tell ;  I  did  not  wish  to  possess  the  actors  with  an  idea  of  good 
health  by  any  desperate  efforts  to  act  well.  Received  note  from  Mr. 
Bunn,  humble  and  false,  stating  that  Cooper  said  I  '*  demanded  " 
what  I  proposed,  which  Cooper  directly  denied.  I  learned  also  that 
he  had  stopped  ray  salary  for  the  Wednesday  night !  I  At  Cooper's 
request  I  left  a  note  intimating  that  I  should  not  play  next  week. 
On  reaching  chambers  I  wrote  to  H.  Earle. 

November  24f/i. — Began  a  letter  to  Cooper,   which  I  found  too 
long.    Read  prayers  to  my  family.    Wrote  a  letter  to  Cooper,  tender- 
ing through  him  the  resignation  of  my  engagement,  and  offering  a 
premium  for  it. 
80 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

November  ^Ith. — I   was  awoke  in   the  morning   by  letters  from 

Messrs.  Bunn  and  Cooper.    Mr.  Cooper's  informing  me  that  Mr.  B 

would  reply  to  my  proposal,  and  Mr.  Bunn  taking  up  a  very  friendly 
tone  to  say  nothing  in  extenuation  of  his  annoyance  to  me,  but  pro- 
mising that  in  future  my  wishes  should  be  consulted,  at  the  same  time 
refusing  to  relinquish  my  engagement.  All  this  is  mere  froth,  and 
the  froth  of  a  venomed  dog,  too ;  he  has  been  mighty  in  his  promises 
before,  and  they  have  only  become  means  of  alluring  me  to  cajole- 
ment. Henceforth  I  put  no  trust  in  him  whatever.  On  getting  up,  I 
applied  myself  to  answer  him,  which  I  did — not  very  satisfactorily  to 
myself,  but  mildly  and  in  a  temper  rather  inclining  to  smooth  asperities. 

December  1st. — The  news  which  letters  conveyed  to  me  this  morn- 
ing from  the  papers  was  the  death  of  my  old  master  Dr.  Wooll.  I 
really  regret  him,  he  was  kind,  most  hospitable,  ready  to  enjoy  and 
delighted  to  look  upon  enjoyment,  in  short  of  a  most  benevolent  dis- 
position ;  this  made  the  weaknesses  of  his  character,  his  vanity  and 
French  abb^-like  manner  less  unamiable.  He  had  little  or  no  pre- 
tensions to  profound  learning,  but  he  was  a  thoroughly  good-natured, 
kind-hearted  man.  After  giving  up  some  time  to  my  darling  children, 
sat  down  to  read  through  the  character  of  Antony,  which  I  can  see 
how  imperfectly  I  have  played,  yet  have  not  time  nor  motive  to  re- 
study.  Dow  called  just  in  time  to  intercept  me  going  to  church ;  he 
sat  and  chatted  some  time ;  I  was  glad  to  hear  him  (with  his  idolatry 
of  Kean)  say  that  he  liked  my  Hamlet.     He  stayed  some  time  and 

accepted  an  invitation  for  Miss  D and  self  for  Christmas  Eve  and 

day.  Dow  asked  me  to-day  about  Sardanapalus ;  I  will  look  once  more 
at  it,  but  I  have  no  hopes  of  it. 

December  2nd. — At  the  theatre  I  began  Antony  very  feebly,  but 
rallied  and  acted  parts  of  it  better  than  I  had  yet  done.  I  learned 
from  Cooper  that  Sardanapalus  was  to  be  done  with  a  grand  scene, 
the  proposal  I  made  in  the  beginning  of  the  season  to  Reynolds  !  This, 
I  take  it,  is  the  "  great  go  "  !    I  was  very  indiscreet  in  speaking  to  that 

sottish  man,  Mr. ,  about  the  acting  of  the  last  scene.     I  cannot 

suflficiently  blame  myself.     I  was  quite  foolish. 

December  ^rd. — Walked  with  Harley  to  Garrick  Club,  saw  Ray- 
mond, etc. ;  they  said  Sheil  was  suspected  to  be  the  traitor  spoken  of 
by  HiU.^ 

'  Mr.  Matthew  Davenport  Hill,  M.P.  for  Hull,  in  a  speech  to  his  constituents  made 
at  this  time  stated  that  an  Irish  member  who  spoke  violently  against  the  Coercion  Bill 
had  in  private  advised  members  not  to  relax  any  of  its  provisions,  and  that  he  had 
asked,   "Who  is  the  traitor?"     On  the  5th    February,    1834,    Mr.  O'Connell  called  the 

VOL.  I.  G  81 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

December  Mh. — Dear  Letitia's  birthday :  may  God  bless  her  and 
send  her  many  happy  ones  !  At  Garrick  Club,  where  I  dined,  I  chatted 
with  Collier  on  the  drama,  and  with  Bartley  on  the  subject  of  my  late 
correspondence  with  Mr.  Bunn — he  saw  my  first  letter,  and  thought  it 
a  most  temperate  and  straightforward  one.  I  sent  Smith  orders  in 
answer  to  his  note,  and  went  to  bed,  so  very  tired  and  weak  was  I. 
Looked  at  the  part  of  Sardanapalus,  which  Mr.  Cooper  had  given  me 
with  "Mr.  Bunn's  best  compliments."  Acted  Virginius  not  to  my 
satisfaction,  was  tame  and  inefficient  in  the  early  part,  but  warmed 
with  the  progress  of  the  play,  and  was  myself  in  the  two  last  acts. 

December  5th. — Read  through  the  part  of  Sardanapalus,  which  I 
think  (but  had  better  not  say)  is  injudiciously  cut.  Dined  at  Garrick 
Club,  and  looked  at  some  of  the  magazines ;  a  criticism  in  the  New 
Monthly,  finding  fault  with  a  passage  in  my  Jaques,  pleased  me  much 
from  its  truth  and  good  taste.  Came  home,  and  read  King  John,  after 
looking  over  the  parts  of  Shakspeare  for  one  to  excite  attention  in. 
I  fear  it  is  not  to  be  done,  but  by  slow  degrees,  and  "  while  the  grass 
grows,"  etc.  Looked  at  parts  of  Coriolanus.  I  should  have  been 
taught  to  think  and  look  through  the  subjects  of  my  consideration. 

December  6th. — Only  rose  to  attend  the  rehearsal  of  King  John, 
which,  if  I  wish  to  act  well,  I  must  give  much  of  to-morrow  to,  for 
I  am  not  master  in  execution  of  my  own  wishes  and  exceptions  in  the 
part,  which  I  ought  to  act  grandly.  I  looked  after  my  John's  dress, 
and  received  a  letter  of  thanks  for  Virginius.  Brewster  called,  ordered 
wig  for  Coriolanus ;  if  the  public  choose  to  be  pleased,  I  will  spare  no 
pains  nor  expense  to  please  them.  Sheil  is  in  a  predicament,  I  would 
counsel  him  to  fight,  but  that  I  do  not  like  to  incur  the  possible  con- 
sequences of  reflection.  Acted  leisurely,  without  inspiration  or  per- 
spiration, still  I  seemed  to  produce  an  effect  upon  the  audience,  but  I 
was  not  identified  with  Werner.  "Je  n'^tais  pas  le  personnage." 
Lost  my  temper  (oh!  fool)  about  an  interference  with  my  order  for 
King  John's  dress. 

December  Ith. — Rose  at  a  very  early  hour  with  perfect  pleasure 
to  return  home  by  the  Crown  Prince  coach ;  endeavoured  on  my  way 
to  keep  my  thoughts  on  King  John,  but  they  ludicrously  mixed  them- 

attention  of  the  House  of  Commons  to  this  subject,  and  on  behalf  of  the  Irish  members 
asked  for  an  explanation.  Lord  Althorp,  then  leading  the  House  of  Commons,  declined  to 
assure  Mr.  Sheil  that  he  was  not  the  member  intended.  A  duel  seemed  impending,  and 
they  were  both  put  in  the  custody  of  the  Sergeant-at-Arms.  Mr.  Sheil  was  afterwards 
cleared  of  the  suspicions  raised  against  him  by  a  Select  Committee  {note  by  Sir 
F.  Pollock). 

82 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

selves  with  other  subjects  and  lulled  me  into  invincible  slumbers. 
Arriving  on  a  very  rainy  and  tempestuous  day,  I  found  my  darling 
Nina  better,  but  very  thin,  and  dearest  Willie  better,  but  fretful  and 
not  quite  well.  After  breakfast,  I  read  with  a  desire  of  improvement 
King  John,  and  remained  in  the  drawing-room  (coming  down  only 
twice  for  short  periods)  until  past  four  o'clock.  I  then  took  up  Sar- 
danapalus,  which  I  read,  comparing  it  with  the  original  and  marking 
my  book  by  it.  I  do  not  think,  with  whatever  adjuncts,  that  it  can  do ; 
it  seems  to  me  very  undramatically  prepared ;  and  most  injudiciously 
have  the  selections  of  its  poetry  been  made.  After  dinner  (what  with 
a  yule  log,  and  good  port  wine,  I  enjoyed  my  fireside)  I  returned  to 
my  tiresome  task  of  collating  Sardanapalus. 

December  9th. — Came  to  town  by  Billings,  and  went  to  rehearsal, 
at  which  there  was  no  Hubert ;  an  unusual  and  not  very  pleasant 
occurrence.  From  the  theatre  went  to  dine  and  see  the  papers  at  the 
Garrick  Club.  Returning  to  chambers,  wrote  notes  and  was  a  good 
deal  disturbed,  by  loss  of  temper  as  well  as  time  (a  loss  attributable 
only  to  my  own  folly),  on  the  subject  of  my  armour  for  King  John. 
Captain  de  Visme  called  about  Mr.  Sulivan's  play ;  I  have  to  charge 
myself  with  some  deficiencies  in  good  breeding  during  his  stay.  I  told 
him  of  the  manager's  answer,  and  parted  from  him  with  at  least 
civility;  but  I  was  careless  in  my  interview  with  him  of  the  "fashion 
and  ceremony  "  due  to  a  gentleman.  I  went  to  the  theatre,  thinking 
first  of  my  dress  and  secondly  of  King  John !  I  am  ashamed,  grieved 
and  distressed  to  acknowledge  the  truth :  I  acted  disgracefully,  worse 
than  I  have  done  for  years ;  I  shall  shrink  from  looking  into  a  news- 
paper to-morrow,  for  I  deserve  all  that  can  be  said  in  censure  of  me. 
I  did  what  I  feared  I  should  do,  sacrificed  my  character  to  my  dress !  ! 
Wallace  and  Talfourd  came  into  my  room,  and  I  felt  what  they  thought 
of  my  performance ;  it  has  made  me  very  unhappy. 

December  10th. — I  could  neither  go  to  bed  last  night  from  self- 
dissatisfaction,  for  I  sat  up  reading  Luke  and  Sardanapalus  till  past 
one,  nor  could  I  get  up  this  morning  from  the  same  depressing  cause. 
Sat  a  long  time  in  conversation  with  Forster,  who  called.  I  feared  to 
look  into  the  papers,  but  found  them,  on  going  to  meet  Fladgate  by 
appointment  at  the  Garrick  Club,  very  indulgent  indeed.  The  Herald 
remarked,  in  objection,  upon  my  dress ;  so  that  I  suffered  as  I  ought, 
but  not  in  the  degree  I  merited.  Went  with  Fladgate  to  call  on 
Chantrey  ^  who  received  us  very  kindly,  and  with  whom  we  had  a  most 
^  Sir  Francis  Legatt  Chantrey,  R.A.  (1781-1842),  the  famous  sculptor. 

G2  83 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

interesting  conversation.  Our  purpose  was  to  ascertain  his  price  for 
a  bust  of  Mrs.  Siddons,  to  be  placed  in  Westminster  Abbey  by  the 
Garrick  Club.  He  told  us  200  guineas,  but  that  the  price  should  be 
no  obstacle ;  he  spoke  most  pleasingly  and  liberally.  Fladgate  was 
delighted  with  him.  On  leaving  him  to  inquire  at  his  request  of 
Deville  if  he  had  a  cast  of  Mrs.  Siddons,  we  arranged  our  plan  of 
operations,  viz.  to  learn  all,  ask  the  practicability  of  the  plan,  and  then 
at  a  "house  dinner  "  engage  members  of  the  Club  to  support  it.  We 
went  to  Deville's,  saw  the  cast  of  Siddons,  Miss  O'Neill,  etc.  Looked 
through  the  illustrations  of  Byron's  works,  in  which  are  some  very 
beautiful  and  some  very  indifferent  engravings.  I  think  I  should  be 
ashamed  to  see  a  portrait  of  myself  with  the  expression  of  coxcombical 
pertness  that  marks  that  of  Moore.  ^  I  was  very  much  gratified  with 
Chantrey's  conversation.  He  observed  that  to  satisfy  relations  or 
friends  it  was  desirable  that  the  likeness  of  a  bust  should  be  as  exact 
as  possible,  but  that  in  the  case  of  a  person  of  genius  we  must  have 
something  to  engage  the  attention  and  respect  of  those  who  could  never 
be  able  to  judge  of  a  likeness.  His  remarks  on  the  necessity  of  supply- 
ing the  want  of  colours  by  shadows  pleased  me  much  ;  that  if  he  copied 
exactly  a  face,  as  it  actually  was,  it  would  neither  have  effect  nor 
resemblance,  but  that  he  was  obliged  to  vary,  always  with  due  caution 
and  care,  the  exact  surface,  giving  prominence  where  shadows  might 
be  needful  to  give  the  corresponding  effect  to  colour. 

December  12t/i. — How  strange  it  is  that  our  experience  of  the  pain 
as  well  as  unprofitableness  of  passion  should  not  teach  us  the  lesson  of 
subduing  it !  How  many  times  this  morning  had  I  to  accuse  myself, 
and  reason  myself  out  of  my  wrath  and  impatience,  as  I  drove  along, 
because  Healey  had  brought  me  a  slow  coach  instead  of  a  fast  cab  ?  If 
there  be  one  folly  more  injurious  to  man  than  another  it  is  the  senseless 
fury  of  anger.  Read  the  heavy  part  of  Sardanapalus.  Turned  the 
leaves  of  Byron's  Don  Juan,  a  wanton  display  of  thought,  wit  and 
brilliancy.  Thought  of  going  by  a  late  coach  to-morrow,  but  the 
recollection  of  poor  Billings's  empty  vehicle  this  morning  determined 
me  to  rise  and  go  by  him. 

December  IMh. — Came  to  town  by  Billings,  and  found  a  call  for 
rehearsal.  Paid  Healey,  and  went  to  rehearse  Coriolanus.  At  the 
theatre  found  a  pamphlet  enclosed  from  Mr.  G.  Farren  on  the  char- 

'  Thomas  Moore  (1779-1852),  the  poet.  He  and  Macready  were  acquaintances,  but  there 
are  many  strictures  on  him  in  the  Diaries.  It  would  certainly  be  difficult  to  find  two 
Irijihmen  more  unlike  in  character  and  temperament. 

84 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

acter  of  Shylock,  which  I  felt  as  rather  an  impertinence.  I  acted 
Hotspur  in  a  way  that  showed  me  my  ability  to  play  it  much  better, 
and  indeed  very  well.  I  took  more  time  over  the  opening  speech,  but 
found,  as  I  proceeded,  the  want  of  study,  and  how  very  little  pains 
would  make  it  good.  I  also  found  in  the  progress  of  the  scene  the 
vast  benefit  derived  from  keeping  vehemence  and  effort  out  of  passion. 
It  is  everything  for  nature.  The  reading  the  letter  was  not  bad,  chiefly 
on  that  account.  The  other  scenes  would  have  been  better  had  I  taken 
less  wine,  but  it  made  me  dry  and  hurried.  At  home  I  looked  through 
the  leaves  of  V.  Hugo's  play. 

December  IMh. — Awoke  late,  and  got  up  in  great  haste  to  dress 
for  rehearsal ;  was  there  in  time,  saw  the  play,  Coriolanus,  in  so  dis- 
graceful a  state  that  it  was  useless  to  bestow  a  word  upon  the  mise  en 
scbne :  had  not  even  the  power  to  try  myself  in  the  feeling  of  the  part. 
After  rehearsal  went  to  pay  in  some  money  at  Ransom's,  and  called 
at  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  found  Robins,^  Reynolds,  Fladgate,  etc. 
Our  conversation  was  on  the  state  of  the  theatres ;  Robins  denied 
being  the  cause  of  their  present  state,  and  mentioned  that  it  had  been 
reported:  "Polhill  had  said  at  the  Blackguard,  alias  Beefsteak  Club, 
that  he  was  the  manager,  and  Bunn  merely  put  in  by  him."  This  was 
contradicted,  as  was  said,  by  Dunn.  Mention  was  made  of  Mr.  Bunn's 
letter  stating,  in  obscene  and  disgusting  language,  his  design  to  produce 
a  licentious  spectacle  !  A  worthy  caterer  for  English  taste  !  At  dinner 
indulged  too  much  in  the  luxuries  of  home,  and  found  the  evening 
gone  when  I  wished  to  begin  my  work. 

December  15th. — Rose  late,  and,  on  coming  down,  looked  through 
the  Spectator,  which  grows  more  and  more  dull.  Dow  called  while 
I  was  looking  through  Shakspeare's  Julius  Caesar,  with  an  eye  to  its 
mise  en  seine. 

December  \Qth. — Acted  languidly  and  ineffectively  most  of  the  two 
first  acts  of  Coriolanus,  but  in  the  third  act  I  assumed  the  character,  and 
in  the  last  blazed  out ;  the  audience  were  much  excited.  Wallace  came 
into  my  room,  and  said  it  was  splendid. 

December  l^th. — At  the  theatre  I  found  a  note  from  Kenneth, 
overtures  from  Bath.  I  acted  William  Tell  tolerably  well.  Forster 
called  for  me  in  a  coach  with  Talfourd  and  Procter.^     I  met  at  his 

'  George  Robins,  the  auctioneer  (see  note,  p.  32) ;  he  was  connected  with  various  theatrical 
enterprises. 

*  Bryan  Waller  Procter  (1787- 1874) ;  poet,  conveyancer  and  Lunacy  Commissioner.  Wrote 
under  the   name   of   "  Barry   Cornwall "  ;    a  school-fellow   of  Byron  at  Harrow,  and  on 

85 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

lodgings  Blanchard,^  a  pleasing  man,  Abbot,  Knowles  and  others.  A 
pleasant  but  too  indulging  evening.  Toasts  and  commendations  flying 
about.  A  great  deal  of  heart,  and  when  that  is  uppermost  the  head 
is  generally  subjected.     Procter  is  to  send  ,his  play. 

December  19th. — Quite  unable  to  get  up,  or  to  hold  up  my  head 
from  the  effects  of  my  facile  temper  last  night.  I  lay  in  bed  from 
hour  to  hour  expecting  an  amelioration  of  my  condition.  Ruminated 
on  the  bygone  evening ;  the  facility  in  summoning  and  uttering  their 
ideas  so  conspicuous  in  Talfourd,  Blanchard,  and  even  Abbott,  con- 
trasted with  the  difficulty  I  have  in  arranging  and  expressing  my 
thoughts.  Forster  called  to  bring  my  cloak,  which  I  had  left  last 
night,  and  my  pocket-handkerchief,  which  Knowles  in  jest  had  taken 
from  me  unperceived.  Read  through  Coriolanus,  which  I  am  very 
anxious  to  make  a  part  of,  but  fear  the  uninteresting  nature  of  the 
story  and  the  recollection  of  Kemble  are  objections  too  strong  to  over- 
come. Made  calculations  on  the  various  proposals  from  Dublin,  in 
reference  also  to  my  future  country  excursions  and  my  general  income, 
which  occupied  me  some  time,  and  wrote  thereon  a  long  letter  to 
Calcraft.  Felt  much  better.  In  future  I  will  not  be  betrayed  into 
such  weaknesses. 

December  ^Oth. — Called  at  the  theatre  and  spoke  to  Mr.  Cooper 
about  Colonel  D'Aguilar's  Fiesco  and  my  own  absence.  Spoke  to 
Kenneth  about  Bath  and  Newcastle.  Dined  at  the  Garrick  and  read 
the  article  on  Sheil.  I  looked  upon  him  as  lost,^  for  want  of  discretion 
in  involving  himself,  and  want  of  firmness  to  extricate  himself.  Wrote 
invitations  to  Stanfield  and  Abbott.  Wallace  called.  Note  of  excuse 
from  Stanfield.  Acted  Coriolanus,  not  so  well  as  on  Monday,  the 
scene  with  Volumnia  much  better,  but  gave  too  much  voice  to  some 
speeches  in  the  last  scene,  chiefly  through  that  pleasant  actor, 
Aufidius,  purposely  disconcerting  me. 

December  21st. — Had  a  long  conversation  with  Mr.  Meadows  on 
the  subject  of  the  theatres ;  spoke  to  him  about  a  dinner  to  Dowton, 
which  I  requested  him  to  speak  to  the  actors  about ;  told  him  that 


intimate  terms  with  Charles  Lamb,  Dickens,  Leigh  Hunt  and  most  of  the  eminent  literary 
men  of  his  day.     He  was  the  father  of  the  poetess,  Adelaide  Anne  Procter. 

'■  Samuel  Laman  Blanchard  (i  804-1845)  ;  by  turns  proctor's  clerk,  itinerant  actor, 
secretary  to  the  Zoological  Society,  and,  latterly,  editor,  author  and  journalist. 

2  Macready's  pessimism  regarding  Sheil  proved  to  be  at  fault,  for  in  1837  his  "lost" 
friend  became  a  member  of  the  Whig  Government  and  thenceforward  was  uniformly 
prosperous,  ending  his  career  as  British  Minister  at  Florence. 

86 


B.  W.   PROCTER 

From  an  engraiing 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

I  should  be  glad  to  see  him  at  Elstree.  Read  over  the  two  first  acts 
of  Sardanapalus  in  the  carriage,  which  does  not  improve  upon  me. 
Must  employ  the  few  days  of  leisure  before  me  in  getting  ahead  of 
business  and  digesting  some  plan  towards  the  re-establishraent  of  my 
profession.  How  much  might  be  done  if  opportunity  were  only  in 
my  power. 

December  23nd. — Went  to  morning  service  and  gave  Mr.  Chalk 
£20  to  be  distributed  in  coals  among  the  poor.  I  do  not  perceive  why, 
with  the  sentiments  I  entertain  of  this  as  a  religious  and  moral  duty, 
I  should  mix  myself  with  persons  who  have  nothing  else  in  common 
with  me.  *'  My  order  "  is  an  extensive  one — that  of  humanity,  and 
"homo  sum  "  is  my  motto,  a  truly  Christian  sentiment  uttered  by  a 
heathen  poet. 

December  9,2rd. — ^Read  through  attentively  an  adaptation  of 
Goethe's  play  of  Egmont ;  unacquainted  as  I  am  with  the  language, 
and  knowing  by  translation  but  a  very  few  of  Goethe's  works,  it  would 
be  impertinent  to  hint  an  opinion  on  them ;  all  I  may  say  is  that  I  do 
not  feel  the  power  of  those  I  have  read. 

December  ^iith. — Received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Cooper  (which,  from 
the  utter  want  of  sense  displayed  in  it,  I  do  not  like  to  dwell  on), 
asking  me  from  Mr.  Bunn  to  resume  the  part  of  Joseph  Surface, 
especially  excluded  in  my  engagement,  "  out  of  kindness  "  !  I  read  the 
Examinery  and  answered  this  silly  application,  desiring  to  retain  the 
terms  of  my  engagement.  Walk  to  Mr.  Fowler's.  As  I  walked  I 
went  over  several  scenes  of  Richard  III,  which,  Mr.  Cooper's  note 
announced  to  me,  I  am  to  play  on  Monday.  Shortly  after  my  return 
home,  Mr.  and  Miss  Dow  arrived ;  we  did  not  wait  for  Wallace,  as  his 
former  visits  warranted  us  in  not  doing.  About  eight  o'clock  he  came, 
whitened  by  his  contact  with  sacks  of  flour,  having  travelled  to  Edg- 
ware  in  a  wagon,  and  thence  walked  here.  I  felt  unwell  in  the  evening 
from  imprudence,  which  I  must  be  careful  in  future  to  avoid. 

December  25f?i. — Wrote  an  answer  to  Serle  on  his  application 
respecting  the  theatrical  monopoly,  suggesting,  as  some  security  to 
actors,  authors  and  the  public,  a  price  graduated  according  to  the 
quality  of  the  dramatic  exhibitions,  to  be  set  upon  the  licence  granted. 
Wallace  came  in  while  I  was  speaking  on  it  to  Dow,  and  opened  a 
furious  invective  against  the  plan,  contending  for  universal  and 
unrestricted  licence  to  act  the  drama  in  every  street. 

December  26th. — On  this  day  three  years  ray  beloved  Christina  was 
given  to  me.     I  bless  the  day,  the  name  of  the  Almighty  Giver,  and 

87 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1833 

the  darling  child,  whose  life,  I  pray  God,  may  be  one  of  virtuous 
happiness.  Received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Willmott,  prompter,  informing 
rae  that  Richard  should  not  be  acted  on  Monday,  in  order  to  give  me 
leisure  for  the  study  of  Sardanapalus.  This  makes  me  believe  what 
I  before  suspected,  that  the  announcement  of  Richard  was  an  artifice 
of  Mr.  Bunn's!  Did  very  little  through  the  day.  The  presence  of 
people  is  always  a  hindrance  to  me,  and  I  found  it  particularly  so  to-day. 

December  S,8th. — Our  friends,  Messrs.  Forster  and  Price,  also  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Smith  arrived  in  the  afternoon ;  Dr.  Lardner  just  before  we 
sat  down  to  dinner.  We  spent  a  very  pleasant  evening,  and  in  the 
drawing-room  sat  down  to  whist.  After  the  retirement  of  the  rest, 
which  did  not  happen  until  very  late,  Forster  acquainted  me  with  the 
strange  fact  of  Knowles  having  written  a  letter  to  him,  repudiating  his 

friendship  on  the  plea  of  F having  done  him  an  injury  by  his,  F.'s, 

criticism  on  Knowles 's  performance  of  Macbeth  ! 

December  29f/i. — Again  an  idle  day !  Up  late,  and  losing  the 
morning  in  idle  chat  and  skimming  over  the  papers.  Sent  to  every 
probable  possessor  in  the  village  for  a  newspaper  containing  the 
theatrical  advertisements  to  know  whether  or  not  I  was  to  play  to- 
morrow ;  after  much  search  learned  that  I  was  announced  for  Werner. 
After  dinner  Wallace  got  into  a  high  tone  of  invective  against  what  he 
termed  the  "impertinence"  of  Lough, '^  for  making  Milo's  hand,  and 
not  his  "  hands,"  caught  in  the  tree.  I  hope  the  ardour  of  my  defence 
did  not  provoke — I  am  sure  it  did  not  justify — the  rudeness  of  his  tone 
and  manner  to  me.  After  dinner  Forster  showed  me  in  the  drawing- 
room  Knowles's  letter  and  his  own  criticism — the  gentlest  and  kindest, 
nay,  most  flattering  apology  that  one  friend  could  have  made  for  the 
deficiency  of  another.     But  Knowles  will  have  defenders. 

December  QOth. — Forster  called,  whom  I  advised  to  let  Talfourd 
arrange  a  reconciliation  with  him  and  Knowles.  Acted  Werner  very 
well  in  some  parts,  and  not  so  well  in  the  third  and  fourth  acts.  Found 
a  number  of  Fox's  paper  on  my  return  (Dow  walked  with  me)  containing 
an  enthusiastic  eulogium  on  Coriolanus. 

December  31st. — The  last  day  of  the  year !  I  sit  down  to  take  my 
everlasting  farewell  of  it ;  to  write  my  adieux  to  a  period  of  time  on 
which  I  look  back  with  many  pleasing  recollections  to  soothe  me  in  the 
thought  that  I  have  approached  so  much  nearer  to  my  grave,  with 
some  melancholy  ones,  and  with  some  compunctious  ones.  T  sent  a 
note  to  a  Miss  Cope,  who  I  fancy  must  be  crazy,  poor  creature !  as 
1  John  Graham  Lough  (1806-1876),  a.  sculptor  of  no  special  note. 


1833]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

she  informed  me  that  the  fate  of  Lucretia  bore  so  close  a  resemblance 
to  her  own !  Serle  called,  and  I  had  a  very  long  conference  with  him, 
as  adjourned  from  yesterday.  I  could  not,  on  reconsideration,  be  a 
party  to  throwing  open  the  drama  indiscriminately,  so  ruinous  did  it 
appear  to  me  to  the  general  interests  of  the  profession.  We  at  last 
concurred  in  the  expediency  of  confining  the  right  of  acting  the  classic 
drama  to  the  four  large  theatres  of  Westminster,  restricting  its  per- 
formance elsewhere  to  a  great  distance,  not  including  therein  the 
Garrick  and  Pavilion ;  I  agreed  to  see  Arnold  on  the  subject,  and 
Morris ;  and  if  the  former  entered  into  our  views,  to  endeavour  to  move 
the  actors  to  join  in  a  petition  to  Parliament. 

And  now  having  reached  this  point  of  time,  the  verge  of  another 
year,  which  warns  me  how  rapidly  I  am  nearing  the  brink  of  eternity, 
I  turn  my  thoughts  to  my  God,  the  giver  of  all  the  good  I  enjoy,  either 
in  external  things,  or  in  the  feelings  with  which  I  appreciate  them. 
I  bless  and  praise  His  sacred  name  for  the  undeserved  mercies  He  has 
showered  upon  me,  and  I  close  this  year's  record  with  my  humble  and 
fervent  prayers  for  the  continuance  of  His  mercy  and  many  blessings 
on  my  dear  wife  and  children  and  myself,  beseeching  Him  to  instil 
wisdom,  virtue  and  love  into  our  hearts,  and  make  us  merit  as  well  as 
enjoy  His  divine  blessings.     Amen. 


89 


1834 

London,  January  1st. — Forster  related  to  me  an  anecdote  of  much 
interest — that  HazHtt  in  his   emergency  had   applied   to   Eean  ^   for 

the  loan  of  £50,  which  K ,  on  the  pretence  of  inability,  refused  !     I 

called  in  at  Miller's  to  look  for  Serle ;  not  finding  him  went  on  to  the 
Garrick  Club,  where  I  dined,  and  heard,  among  other  observations  on 
Messrs.  Bunn  and  Ducrow  from  Mr.  Meadows,  that  the  language  of 
the  former  to  the  women  was  so  horridly  revolting  that  had  a  relative 
of  his  been  there  he  must  have  knocked  him  down. 

January  4t/i. — Rose  very  late  after  a  night  through  which  I 
scarcely  slept,  but  occupied  myself  with  thinking  on  my  present  con- 
dition in  the  theatrical  profession,  and  attending  to  my  darling  child, 
as  she  turned  in  her  bed.  The  necessity  of  rising  still  in  my  pro- 
fession, and  of  gaining  suffrages  to  my  reputation,  presented  itself 
so  strongly  to  my  mind,  that  I  determined,  contrary  to  my  original 
intention,  of  offering  such  benefit  as  my  advice  could  yield  towards  the 
play  of  SardanapaluSf  and  of  doing  my  best  to  make  the  play  successful, 
which  notwithstanding  I  have  no  hope  of  effecting.  Coming  home  I 
sat  down  to  read  with  attention  the  play  of  Sardanapalus,  which  I  did, 
and  confirmed  myself  in  my  opinion  of  the  expediency  of  cutting  much 
and  restoring  some  passages  to  give  any  chance  (and  even  then  a  faint 
one)  of  the  play's  success. 

January  5th. — Mr.  Monro  followed  me  and  asked  me  to  sign  a 
petition  to  the  Chancellor  in  behalf  of  Mr.  Chalk,  who,  it  appears,  is 
about  to  leave  this  cure  in  consequence  of  Dr.  Morris  coming  to  reside. 
As  curates  go  he  is,  I  should  say,  of  average  respectability;  but 
measuring  him  by  the  standard  I  set  up  for  a  minister  of  that  beautiful 
and  philosophic  system  of  charity  and  universal  love  which  our 
Redeemer  set  up,  I  think  him  wanting  in  the  essentials  of  talent,  zeal, 
and  independence :  the  worshipper  of  any  golden  calf  that  may  be  the 
neighbourhood's  god,  and  without  reach  of  thought  or  comprehension 
to  adore  the  Creator  and  Sustainer  of  the  Universe.  I  wish  him  well, 
but  am  indifferent  about  his  going  or  staying. 

^  Edmund  Kean. 

90 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

January  6th. — Read  and  marked  for  curtailment  the  play  of 
Sardanapaltis,  anticipating  the  freedom  to  do  so ;  it  occupied  me  the 
greatest  part  of  the  morning.  After  luncheon  Catherine  walked  with 
me  to  call  on  Mr.  Chalk,  which  I  thought  necessary  as  he  was  said  to 
be  leaving  Elstree.  We  found  upon  our  visit  that  it  was  at  present 
doubtful.  We  heard  too,  for  the  first  time,  that  Lady  Pole  had  been 
resident  in  the  parish  above  three  weeks,  and  of  a  marriage  in  the 
Monro's  family ;  facts  to  us  of  less  interest  than  the  arrival  or  increase 
of  so  many  rats  in  our  stable.  Dear  Nina  fell  asleep  in  my  arms  in 
the  dining-room,  and  kept  me  some  time  from  my  employment.  These 
blessed  children,  even  when  I  am  most  busy,  allure  me  from  my  resolves 
of  diligence  for  a  time ;  I  cannot  speak  the  overflowing  love  with  which 
I  look  at  them.  After  dinner  we  received  the  Twelfth-cake  from 
London,  which  as  a  household  superstition  I  had  ordered.  In  the 
evening  I  read  four  acts  of  Serle's  play  of  the  Spanish  Maid,  which  I 
think  a  pretty,  pleasing  comedy  or  play,  but  do  not  regard  the  part 
of  the  Duke  as  beyond  that  of — if  indeed  equal  to — Sir  William 
Dorrillon ;  still,  I  think  the  play  too  good  to  be  rejected. 

January  1th. — Rehearsed  part  of  Sardanapalus,  which  was  stopped 
by  a  conversation  on  some  suggestions  of  mine.  Mr.  Cooper  is  a 
person  as  capable  of  directing  the  mise  en  scene  of  a  play  as  a  man 
devoid  of  information,  industry,  genius  or  talent  may  be  supposed 
to  be.  He  could  not  understand  the  object  of  what  I  pointed  out  as 
necessary,  but  wished  me  to  correct  the  various  errors,  grammatical  as 
well  as  dramatic,  that  fell  in  my  way,  which  I  declined  doing,  and  at 
length  Mr.  Bunn  ordered  the  MS.  to  be  sent  to  my  chambers  to 
be  cut.  Mr.  Cooper,  Mr.  Willmot  ^  and  Mr.  Bunn — to  arrange  the 
characters  and  body  out  the  imaginations  of  Shakespeare !  .  .  .  and 
in  England ! !  !  Saw  Dowton,  and  Bartley,  and  Dunn.  Called  at 
Miller's  for  Serle,  who  caught  me  going  away,  and  went  home  with 
me.  To  my  surprise  and  regret  he  told  me  that  his  opinions  had 
changed,  and  that  he  found  he  could  not  consistently  abandon  a 
principle  he  had  advocated  before.  We  went  into  the  question  ^  and 
handled  most  of  its  bearings,  in  all  of  which,  except  upon  the  one 
great  principle  of  universal  licence  (which  may  also  be  met  by  its  con- 
sequence, universal  annoyance),  Serle  was  manifestly  a  weak,  inter- 
ested and  sophistical  arguer.  Forster  called  in  during  the  discussion, 
and  quite  concurred  in  my  opinion  on  the  shallow  and  self-delusive 
reasoning  of  Serle.  Mr.  Hollingsworth  called,  and  reflecting  that  I 
'  The  prompter.  2  ^jj^t  of  the  monopoly  theatres. 

91 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

too  might  have  been  no  richer  than  the  "  poor  player  "  who  applied  to 
me,  I  gave  him  seven  shilHngs.  Forster  drove  with  me  to  the  coach 
office  to  wait  for  Bryant's  last  coach.  On  our  road  he  told  me  of  a 
most  extraordinary  letter  from  Knowles  to  Abbott,  insisting  on  "  open- 
ing "  in  Macbeth,  asking  if  he  was  to  be  *'  slain  by  a  cold,"  and 
speaking  of  the  cruellest  and  weightiest  blow  that  had  ever  been  dealt 
upon  him,  as  that  inflicted  by  Forster 's  kind  notice  of  him — writing 
Macbeth  on  the  outside  of  the  letter,  and  not  subscribing  his  name. 
Forster  promised  me  that  L.  Hunt  would  do  what  I  asked  for  Reynolds. 
While  waiting,  my  old  school-fellow  and  master,  Lateward,  passed  me, 
and  turning  to  recognize  me,  introduced  his  daughter  {lahuntur  anni!) 
to  me,  and  asked  me  to  procure  a  private  box  for  his  children, 
which  I  promised  to  try  to  do.  Coming  home  I  thought  on 
Sardanapalus,  and  arriving  set  to  work  upon  reducing  my  own  part  to 
form. 

January  9th. — Went  to  rehearsal  of  Sardanapalus,  saw  Bunn,  who 
asked  me  if  I  would  speak  Mr.  Moore's  prologue,  which  I  declined, 
having  enough  to  speak.  Miss  Phillips  observed  to  me  what  a 
"wooden-headed"  man  Mr.  Cooper  was,  and  so  he  appears  to  the 
people  on  the  stage.  Dined  at  the  Garrick  Club,  saw  among  others 
Linley,^  and  very  foolishly  allowed  myself  to  get  into  a  silly  discussion 
with  him  on  Bunn's  management ;  a  club-room  was  not  a  place  for 
such  an  argument.  Saw  Bartley  also,  and  told  him  of  the  chance  lost 
to  the  profession  in  Serle's  opposition  to  his  former  agreement. 
Bartley  professed  himself  charmed  with  the  plan,  and  ready  to  go  all 
lengths  with  such  a  one.  He  told  me  of  Polhill's  purchase  of  half  the 
Age  newspaper  from  Westmacott  for  £5000.  Went  to  Talfourd's 
(from  whom  I  had  received  a  note  of  invitation  to  supper  in  the 
morning)  to  meet  Charles  Lamb ;  met  there  Price,  Forster,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Field  (I  fancy  a  Gibraltar  judge),  Charles  Lamb,  Moxon  the 
publisher,  and  not  Mrs.  Moxon, ^  whose  absence  was  noted  by  those 
present  as  a  most  ungrateful  omission  of  respect  and  duty,  as  he 
(Lamb)  had  literally  brought  her  up,  and  wanted  her  attention  and 
assistance.  I  noted  one  odd  saying  of  Lamb's,  that  "the  last  breath 
he  drew  in  he  wished  might  be  through  a  pipe  and  exhaled  in  a  pun." 
Spent  a  pleasant  evening  and  walked  home  under  a  "pitiless  storm  " 
with  Price.     Talfourd  apologized  to  me  for  the  critique,  for  which  I 

*  Probably  George  Linley  (1798-1865),  playwright  and  verse-writer. 
^  Lamb's  adopted  daughter,  Emma  Isola,  who  had  married  Moxon  in  the  preceding  year . 
Lamb  died  a  few  months  later. 
92 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

thanked  him,  as  he  avowed  he  felt  he  had  not  done  me  justice  and  had 
been  seduced  by  his  imagination. 

January  10th. — At  rehearsal  (Sardanapalus)  I  heard  of  the  great 
expectations  formed  of  the  new  play,  read  yesterday,  and  in  the  regret 
I  acknowledge  to  have  felt  at  the  intelligence  I  afford  an  evidence  of 
the  selfishness  which  must  accompany  an  actor's  professional  career. 
If  he  is  idle,  he  feels  he  is  or  fears  to  be  lost  sight  of,  and  his  income 
suffers  in  the  exaltation  of  those  who  "push  him  from  his  stool." 
"The  present  eye  praises  the  present  object."  I  say  this  without  any 
spleen,  merely  wishing  it  were  otherwise,  which  perhaps  ere  long  it 
may  be.  Miss  Phillips  again  railed  at  Cooper's  dogmatic  and  dull 
correction  of  errors,  which,  she  said,  she  threw  in  his  way  on  purpose. 
He  sent  for  a  family  box  for  me,  of  which  I  sent  the  card  to  Lateward. 
Returning  to  chambers  I  met  George  Robins,  and  walked  with  him  to 
his  door,  mentioning  the  necessity  there  was  for  moving  some  interest 
towards  opening  the  monopoly  of  the  drama ;  he  wished  me  to  call 
on  Lord  Glengall,^  and  ask  him  what  he  had  in  project  on  the  subject. 
I  agreed  to  do  so.  Looked  for  Serle  at  Miller's,  and  left  my  name 
for  him,  being  desirous  of  trying  to  persuade  him  out  of  his  resolve 
on  the  dramatic  Bill.  Called  at  the  Garrick,  had  a  little  conversation 
with  Bartley,  and  settled  with  T.  Cooke  the  outline  of  plan  of  our 
dinner  to  Dowton.^  Made  some  purchases,  posted  letters  to  Mrs. 
Twiss  and  Ellen  McCready,  and  called  on  Horace  Twiss.  Waited  long 
at  the  door,  and  met  with  a  wavering  answer  to  the  question  if  at 
home,  not  in  keeping  with  the  situation,  and  suggesting  uncomfortable 
and  doubtful  thoughts.     In  the  drawing-room,  to  my  surprise,   saw 

Fanny  Twiss  !  the  so-called  pretty  Mrs.  T ,  and  the  daughter,  whom 

I  had  last  seen  almost  an  infant!  "Oh!  world,  thy  slippery  turns," 
etc.  Horace  Twiss  soon  appeared,  "  white  his  head  as  mountain 
snow  "  ( !),  as  if  to  greet  the  friend  he  parted  from  yesterday!  He 
gave  me  some  advice  on  Mrs.  J.  Twiss's  trust,^  which  may  prove 
serviceable,  and  in  some  general  conversation  Fanny  stated  her  inten- 
tion of  paying  Catherine  a  visit.  I  neither  saw  the  excelling  beauty 
nor  surpassing  grace  of  Mrs.  H.  Twiss.  I  paid  my  visit  as  easily  as 
I  could,  and  came  away. 

January  11th. — At  Dr.  Spurgin's  met  a  party  of  seventeen,  and 
spent  a  very  pleasant  day;  the  only  name  I  caught  was  Mr.  Warren, 

^  One  of  the  Drury  Lane  Committee.  *  See  note  p.  72. 

'  Macready  was  one  of  her  trustees,  and  in  that  capacity  had  for  a  time  taken  charge  of 
her  child  Arthur. 

93 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

the  author,^ — he  is  agreeable  but  too  conscious  of  being  somebody, 
and  I  write  this  observation  reluctantly,  because  he  seemed  desirous 
of  being  pleased  with  me.  Why  is  it  that  in  society  I  so  often  have 
the  pleasure  of  receiving  marked  attention  and  particular  courtesy, 
and  that  my  acquaintance  is  so  little  sought  ? — so  little,  as  to  make  me 
think  myself  either  disagreeable  in  manner  or  dull  in  conversation. 
Mr.  Warren  followed  me  and  requested  my  acquaintance. 

January  ISth. — Went  into  the  drawing-room  to  try  Sardanapalus, 
and  received  quite  a  disgust  at  the  want  of  directness,  truth  and 
passion  in  the  language.  It  is  out  of  ray  way,  and  I  can  make  nothing 
of  it.     I  went  through  much  of  it. 

January  14t/i. — Before  setting  out  for  town  received  a  card  of 
invitation  to  supper  from  Mr.  Bunn,  to  "celebrate  the  fiftieth  night 
of  Gustavus  III."  The  least  that  decency  could  have  suggested 
would  have  been  to  have  enclosed  the  amount  of  his  debt  to  me  with 
the  card.  Went  to  rehearse  Sardanapalus,  requested  Mr.  Cooper  to 
acknowledge  Mr.  Bunn's  invitation,  and  say  that  I  should  not  be  in 
town.  Bartley  spoke  to  me  about  a  letter  from  C.  Kemble,  but  I  did 
not  well  understand  him.  Inquired  of  Miss  Phillips  if  she  intended 
going  to  the  supper ;  she  said  :  *  yes ;  she  was  given  to  understand  that 
she  was  expected  to  go,  and  that  she  must/  I  am  sorry  she  did  not 
feel  her  own  value  more  correctly.  She  makes  me  suspect  that  she 
was  not  much  grieved  to  be  "  forced  "  to  go.  Went  to  Garrick  Club, 
where  I  saw  papers  and  dined — heard  of  Miss  Kemble's  great  houses 
in  New  York ;  on  reflection  this  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  the  circum- 
stances of  her  marriage  to  an  American  ^  and  her  approaching  retire- 
ment sufficiently  explain  it.  After  vainly  seeking  a  coach  at  the 
Golden  Cross,  got  a  place  in  the  mail  to  Canterbury.  Is  it  possible 
for  a  mind  of  any  reflection  to  see  the  departure  or  return  of  the 
mails  at  the  Post  Ofiice  without  emotions  of  delight  and  wonder  at  the 
progress  which  the  human  intellect  has  made?  I  was  highly  gratified. 
There  was  little  to  note  on  my  journey ;  I  tried  to  think  over  Macbeth. 
My  companions  were  a  conceited  officer-sort  of  person,  of  whom  I 
thought  very  little,  and  two  foreigners;  one  was  the  third  of  a 
party  who  were  outside,  and  but  lightly  clad  against  the  intense 
cold  of  the  wind  over  the  river.  But  they  were  young,  looked  like 
soldiers,  and  perhaps  cheered  themselves  onward  in  life  by  the  hope 

»  Samuel  Warren  (1807-1877),  the  author  of  Ten  TAousanJ  a  Year;  Q.C.,  M.P.,  and 
eventually  a  Master  in  Lunacy  ;  a  constant  subject  of  ridicule  by  reason  "of  his  egregious 
egotism,  which  exceeded  even  that  of  Lord  Erskine. 

*  Pierce  Butler,  whom  she  married  in  1834  and  divorced  in  1847. 

94 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

of  a  marshal's  baton,  or  some  such  toy !  Poor  fellows — I  felt  for 
them.  Arrived  at  Canterbury  ten  minutes  past  three  and  got  a 
comfortable  bed. 

Canterbury f  January  15th. — Rehearsed  Macbeth,  and  resolved  not 
to  mind  the  absurdity,  incorrectness  or  inattention  of  the  other  per- 
formers, but  to  think  of  how  I  could  best  act  my  own  character. 
Short-sighted  mortal !  After  rehearsal  walked  up  to  the  Cathedral  to 
learn  my  way  there,  and  was  taken  by  Mr.  Dowton^  to  the  Philosophic 
Institution,  where  he  had  been  giving  a  short  course  of  lectures  on 
Phrenology.  The  building  is  very  neat ;  the  museum  a  very  pretty 
beginning,  and  its  purpose  most  pleasing  to  those  who  wish  well  to 
human  nature.  Came  to  my  hotel  (the  Lion)  and  wrote  to  Catherine. 
Acted  Macbeth  in  a  very  inferior  manner ;  there  was  scarcely  even 
reality,  and  very  often  positive  affectation.  A  total  absence  of  that 
directness  of  look,  voice  and  attitude  that  tells  to  the  actor  far  more 
truly  than  the  thunders  of  an  audience  that  he  is  possessed  with  his 
part  and  must  bear  his  hearers  with  him.  It  is  certain  (I  do  not  write 
it  in  extenuation  of  my  own  faults)  that  some  of  the  actors  were  so 
attired,  and  others  so  inaccurate,  that  my  morning's  resolution  was 
blown  to  Heaven,  or  worse.  When  the  murderers  came  on  one  was 
dressed  up  in  an  old  tattered  cloak  wrapt  round  him,  no  bad  garb 
for  Edgar  as  Mad  Tom.  I  could  not  look  at  the  audience,  and  was 
obliged  to  slur  the  scene — at  any  rate  my  nerves  quite  failed  me.  I 
feel  ashamed  of  the  professional  relationship  between  us.  I  cannot 
subdue  it,  and  money  is  bought  dearly  by  the  pain  I  suffer  under 
operations  of  this  sort.  Mr.  Dowton  so  pressed  me  to  play  another 
night,  and  gave  me  to  understand  how  very  much  it  would  benefit 
him,  that  chiefly  on  his  account  I  suffered  myself  to  be  overruled  and 
consented  to  play  to-morrow. 

January  16th. — Hurried  my  toilet  to  keep  my  appointment  with 
Mr.  Dowton,  who  accompanied  me  to  call  on  Mr.  Austin,  surveyor, 
architect,  etc.,  to  the  Cathedral.  I  was  struck  with  the  acquired 
knowledge  and  unlettered  lore  of  my  friend  Mr.  Austin ;  his  observa- 
tion of  "  Oliver  Cromwell  at  the  Reformation  '*  and  Queen  Elizabeth 
granting  the  crypt  to  the  French  emigrants  at  the  revocation  of  the 
Edict  of  Nantes  made  me  smile,  but  his  conversation  was  not  therefore 
less  interesting.     Austin's  anecdote  of  the  late  Lord  Tenterden  ^  was 

^  William  Dowton,  junior,  manager  of  the  Kent  Circuit  from  1815  to  1835.  He  became 
a  Cliarterhouse  Brother  in  1846,  and  remained  so  till  his  death  in  1883. 

*  Charles  Abbott,  first  Lord  Tenterden  (1762-1832),  Lord  Chief  Justice  of  England  ;  son 
of  a  Canterbury  barber ;  one  of  the  most  distinguished  judges  of  the  nineteenth  century.     In 

95 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

worth  recording.  Acted  lago  very  indifferently,  indeed  the  habit  of 
scowling  or  looking  from  under  my  brows,  especially  when  an  audience 
is  close  upon  me,  as  in  a  small  theatre,  is  a  direct  prevention  to  good 
acting.  I  wanted  reality  and  directness,  indeed  a  revision  of  the 
execution  of  the  character,  and  strict  attention  to  my  general  style. 
The  anecdote  told  by  Mr.  Austin  of  Lord  Tenterden,  which,  he  said, 
"  so  warmed  his  heart  to  the  old  man,  he  could  have  given  him  a 
cheer,"  was  on  the  occasion  of  his  revisiting  Canterbury,  where  he 
had  been  born  and  educated  in  the  Grammar  School.  Mr.  Austin  was 
attending  him  about  the  place,  when  he  came  opposite  to  the  west 
entrance.  He  turned  to  his  son,  who  was  with  him,  and  said,  "  Charles, 
on  this  very  spot  your  grandfather  shaved  for  a  penny ;  never  forget  it, 
it  is  the  proudest  reflection  of  my  life,  do  you  never  forget  it."  My 
cicerone's  indignation  at  the  intrusion  of  two  bodies  within  the  bury- 
ing ground  of  the  cloisters  was  very  droll.  "  You  see,  sir,  those  two 
gravestones  covered  with  ivy  ?  "  *'  Yes."  "  They  were  two  excisemen  ; 
fellows  like  those,  sir,  sneaked  into  a  burial-ground  like  this  was  too 
much,  so  I  just  put  a  slip  or  two  of  ivy  under  the  stones — it  looks 
quite  picturesque,  don't  it,  sir? — the  rascals!  I've  settled  their 
immortality  I  " 

London,  January  18th. — Forster  called  and  made  some  report  of 
what  he  had  heard  of  Mr.  Bunn's  supper — his  own  and  Mr.  West- 
macott's  women  seated  with  His  Majesty's  Reverendships !  What  can 
be  more  truly  disgusting  ? 

Elstree,  January  19th. — I  returned  to  my  copying  work  (altera- 
tions of  Riches),  which  detained  me  in  my  study  until  the  time  to 
expect  O'Hanlon  and  Brydone.  The  accounts  he  gave  us  of  the 
society  of  the  Castle  and  Phoenix  Park  were  as  interesting  as  those 
of  his  own  love  affairs  were  amusing.  Sheil  seems  quite  to  have  played 
a  false  game,  letting  his  private  opinions,  in  opposition  to  his  public 
assertions  and  acts,  be  as  carelessly  reported  as  if  they  were  harmless 
or  even  beneficial  to  him.  Littleton's  ^  is  a  life,  with  all  his  proud 
advantages  of  place  and  wealth,  that  I  do  not  envy.     I  am  an  actor 

his  last  years  of  office  his  infirmities  necessitated  his  being  carried  on  to  the  Bench  ;  his  abilities 
were,  however,  unclouded  to  the  end.  Before  being  appointed  Chief  Justice  he  had  served 
for  two  years  as  a  puisne  judge,  to  which  post  he  was  promoted  from  the  outer  Bar.  He  is 
the  only  instance,  at  any  rate  during  the  nineteenth  century,  of  the  Head  of  the  Common 
Law  attaining  that  position  without  having  sat  in  Parliament  and  served  as  Attorney-General. 
Like  Lord  Penzance,  Lord  Blackburn  and  Lord  Bowen,  he  won  judicial  eminence  unaided 
by  political  status  or  the  adjunct  of  a  silk  gown. 

*  Then  Chief  Secretary  for  Ireland  (see  note  p.  43). 

96 


1834]  THE  DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

for  a  few  hours,  his  is  a  life  of  acting.  His  children's  minds  are  not 
the  objects  of  his  concern  and  anxiety.  His  existence,  like  all  fashion- 
able ones,  seems  selfish  and  unreflecting,  and  affords  one  illustration 
of  Bacon's  essay  on,  I  think,  "Great  Place."  Our  discussion  on 
Hamlet  only  served  to  show  how  little  the  judges  of  the  drama  in 
England  understand  what  they  presume  to  criticize.  Our  guests  stayed 
late,  but  the  subjects  of  our  discourse  were  to  me  the  contrary  of 
tiresome. 

January  26th. — Read  the  Examiner  and  W.  True  Sun  newspapers, 
in  the  latter  of  which  was  some  news  of  the  Kembles  which  I  was  not 
displeased  to  see.  This  is  an  unworthy  kind  of  satisfaction.  It  is  the 
business  of  a  man  to  steadily  and  vigorously  strive  for  his  own  advance- 
ment by  his  own  desert,  and  not  measure  it  by  the  retrogression  or 
demerits  of  others.  In  the  same  paper  was  a  criticism  on  Lear  by 
Forster,  which  was  well  worth  the  perusal,  and  made  me  regret  the 
mistake  he  committed  in  his  oversight  of  the  great  line  "  if  yourselves 
are  old."  It  has  had  the  effect  on  me  of  making  me  revolve  the 
prudence  and  practicability  of  acting  the  original  hear^  which  I  shall 
not  abandon  without  serious  reflection. 

London,  January  29t/j. — Dined  at  the  Garrick  Club  with  Forster, 
and  made  an  appointment  with  Fladgate ;  had  much  theatrical  con- 
versation, and  went  out  with  my  friend,  who  indeed  reeled  after  me,^ 
to  Covent  Garden  theatre,  where  the  box-keeper,  rudely  as  I  think, 
knowing  who  I  was,  refused  me  admission.  We  then  went  to  the 
Olympic,  but  finding  no  room  returned  to  my  chambers,  and  took  tea. 
Forster  showed  me  some  criticisms,  one  on  Macbeth,  which  I  could 
not  clearly  comprehend,  requiring  *' imagination  in  lieu  of  feeling." 
He  told  me  in  confidence  of  the  affaire  de  coeur  between  Ellen  Tree 
and  Mr.  C.  Kean,  with  the  proceedings  of  the  family.  •  Forster  kept 
me  up  until  half-past  two — sobered  himself  and  bade  me  good-night 
at  an  advanced  hour  of  the  morning. 

February  4f/i. — As  I  lay  in  bed  this  morning  longer  than  I  should 
have  done,  reflecting  on  my  own  precarious  condition,  and  the  anxiety 
almost  painful  which  I  sometimes  feel  to  leave  some  provision  for  my 

*  It  is  difficult  to  associate  this  post-prandial  episode  with  the  verge  of  the  Victorian  era. 
The  tipsy  critic  lurching  through  Covent  Garden,  preceded  by  the  sober  and  somewhat 
scandalized  actor  ;  their  repulse  by  the  surly  box-keeper ;  the  return  of  the  baffled  pair  to 
chambers ;  the  critic,  still  unsteady  in  spite  of  the  tea,  roaring  out  dicta  and  sputtering 
scandal  till  the  small  hours,  while  his  sleepy  host  sits  inwardly  chafinsj,  yet  not  during  to  cut 
short  so  potent  a  ])ressman — the  whole  scene  suggests  the  era  of  coffee-houses  and  sedan 
chairs  rather  than  the  third  decade  of  the  nineteenth  century. 

VOL.  1.  H  oy 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1884 

blessed  wife  and  children,  the  inutility,  often  experienced,  of  striving 
to  fashion  circumstance  or  induce  events  was  forced  strongly  on  my 
reflection,  and  gave  birth  to  the  resolution  to  endeavour  steadily  in 
the  labour  of  self-improvement,  and  leave  results  to  that  Providence 
whose  benignity  I  feel  within  me  and  around  me.  I  could  not  for- 
bear measuring  out  half  an  hour's  reading  of  the  sweet  book  I  began 
last  night,  and  which  indeed  I  persisted  in  devouring  till  my  dying 
candle  robbed  me  of  my  enjoyment :  it  was  Mrs.  Brunton's  ^  Self- 
Control.  I  did  not  close  the  book  until  I  reached  the  last  page 
exactly  as  the  fingers  of  my  watch  pointed  twelve.  It  is  one  of  the 
most  delightful  books  I  ever  read — the  only  exception  I  should  make 
is  to  that  gratuitous  piece  of  romance  and  "  hair-breadth  escape  "  at 
the  conclusion,  which  is  not  in  keeping  with  what  reads  like  the  sober 
and  instructive  truth  of  the  rest  of  the  work.  It  has  touched  my 
heart  and  temporarily,  at  least,  improved  my  mind.  I  know  no  book 
in  which  religion  wears  a  more  alluring  form.  I  ought  not,  however, 
to  have  sacrificed  my  study  of  Macbeth  to  this  delightful  indulgence. 
Received  a  pettish  and  offended  note  from  Mr.  Holme  about  his  play, 
which  I  answered. 

February  5th. — Was  at  least  busy  during  the  early  part  of  the 
morning,  though  only  in  domestic  duties  of  arrangement,  payment, 
etc.  Read  two  or  three  stanzas  of  Tasso,  and  did  little  more  than 
open  Cicero,  and  proceeded  to  read  through  Macbeth,  in  which  I  have 
much  to  improve  and  polish.  After  a  thorough  perusal  of  it  I  sallied 
forth  to  the  theatre  first,  where  I  got  an  order  from  Cooper,  and 
told  him  of  the  Dowton  dinner,  which  he  heard  of  with  anything  but 
a  resemblance  of  satisfaction.  This  person  could  give  a  dinner  to 
Captain  Polhill — to  Mr.  Wallack,  etc.,  but  talent  and  integrity  are 
not  the  objects  of  his  admiration  or  hospitality.  He  sicTcened  me,  but 
I  had  the  sense  not  to  show  it.  At  Garrick  Club,  dined ;  saw  Taylor, 
Duruset,  Price,  Villiers,^  Collier,  etc.  Heard  of  Mr.  Westmacott's 
speech  at  Mr.  Ducrow's  dinner — that  his  "  unspotted  character  had 
raised  him  to  his  present  eminence  "  !  !  !  Oh  I  Virtue  !  Forster  called. 
I  laughed  at  him  about  his  notice  of  the  Garrick  anniversary  dinner, 
and  he  seemed  annoyed  at  his  own  defect  of  judgment.    Acted  Macbeth 

^  Mary  Brunton  (1778-1818),  a  novelist  whose  works  have  apparently  passed  completely 
out  of  notice. 

*  Presumably  the  Right  Hon.  Charles  Pelham  Villiers  (1802-1878),  afterwards  for  sixty- 
three  years  M.P.  for  Wolverhampton.  He  was  a  prominent  opponent  of  the  Corn  Laws. 
President  of  the  Poor  Law  Board  from  1859  to  1866,  when  he  retired  from  public  life  ;  drew 
an  ex-Minister's  pension  for  the  unexampled  period  of  thirty-two  vears. 

98 


JOHN    M.   KKMBLE 
From  (in  engrarintj  0>j  Q.  Adcoch  of  a  paintiny  by  Sir  Thomas  Lairrevre,  P.K.A 


1834]  THE   DIARIES    OF   MACREADY 

not,  I  think,  altogether  badly ;  I  was  distressed  by  that  worst  sub- 
stitute for  an  actress  that  I  ever  saw  in  London,  Mrs.  Sloman,^  but  I 
exerted  myself  where  I  could.  In  striving  at  too  much  in  the  last 
act  I  injured  my  effects  in  some  measure,  but  taken  altogether  it  was 
not  a  bad  performance,  though  much  attention  and  pains  are  yet 
required  to  make  it  a  finished  picture.  I  hope  it  may  yet  be  thought 
so.  Forster  came  into  my  room,  and  gave  me  an  account  of  the 
ballet  at  Covent  Garden,  which  he  reluctantly  admitted  had  succeeded ; 
he  walked  home  with  me. 

February  6th. — Letty  arrived  before  I  had  finished  my  toilette, 
and  a  newspaper  was  sent  for.  To  me  it  contained  inexpressibly 
painful  matter  in  its  report  of  the  hostile  conference  between  Sheil 
and  Lord  Althorp.^  I  actually  suffered  intense  pain  of  mind  in  feeling 
the  triumphant  position  in  which  Sheil 's  conduct  had  placed  his 
antagonist,  and  my  anxiety  that  his  fame  should  stand  clear  made  me 
regard  his  credit  more  depressed  than  I  subsequently  found  it.  Lord 
Althorp  beyond  all  question  acted  his  part  like  a  man  and  gentleman ; 
but  I  was  distressed  to  see  him  reaping  credit  at  Sheil's  expense.  I 
could  not  avoid  asking  myself  the  question  ' '  should  I  have  acted  so 
well,  if  similarly  circumstanced?"  I  do  not  know;  but  indiscreet 
and  thoughtless  as  I  sometimes  am,  I  think  I  never  should  have  placed 
myself  so  gratuitously  in  such  a  predicament,  or  that  I  should  have 
preferred  an  early  and  private  settlement  of  the  affair,  with  all  its 
danger,  to  the  test  I  should  have  to  encounter  before  such  an  assembly. 
Called  on  Chantrey,  and  after  a  long  and  very  pleasant  conversation 
left  him  to  proceed  on  his  recommendation  to  endeavour  to  influence 
individually  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  Westminster  to  remit  the  fees 
for  a  monument  to  Mrs.  Siddons.  My  visit  to  Chantrey  was  equally 
interesting  with  my  former  one.  We  were  shown  into  his  studio,  where 
a  bust  was  in  a  state  of  working,  and  several  marble  pieces  were  placed 
around.     He  soon  informed  us  that  his  conversation  with  the  Dean  ^ 

^  See  note  p.  70. 

*  Lord  Althorp  had  declared  in  the  House  of  Commons  that  more  than  one  Irish  member 
while  publicly  opposing  the  Coercion  Bill  had  in  private  approved  it.  When  pressed  for 
names,  he  mentioned  Sheil,  who  immediately  declared  in  impassioned  tones  that  the  charge 
was  a  gross  and  scandalous  calumny.  This  produced  a  "  scene,"  and  eventually  both  Althorp 
and  Sheil  were  taken  into  custody  by  the  Sergeant-at-Arms,  but  were  liberated  on  agreeing  to 
submit  to  the  authority  of  the  House.  A  committee  was  then  appointed  to  inquire  into  the 
affair,  with  the  result  that  Althorp 's  information  was  found  to  have  been  derived  from  a 
reported  conversation  at  the  Athenaeum  Club,  the  truth  of  which  there  was  no  evidence  to 
support.     Sheil  was,  accordingly,  exonerated,  receiving  an  apology  from  Althorp. 

*  John  Ireland  (1761-1842),  Dean  of  Westminster  from   1816  to   1842;   founder  of  the 

H  2  99 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

on  the  subject  of  remitting  the  fees  for  Mrs.  Siddons's  monument  in 
Westminster  Abbey  had  produced  merely  a  vague  and  doubtful  answer. 
He  questioned  us  on  our  views  of  the  description  of  monument,  in 
which  we  were  disposed  to  defer  to  his  judgment.  He  observed  tliat 
such  a  record  of  a  great  and  interesting  person  should  afford  posterity 
the  means  of  knowing  and  feeling  something  of  the  character  of  the 
individual  through  a  portrait,  which  would  impart  some  sentiment  in 
its  elevated  expression ;  and  that  could  only  be  done  by  a  high  relief 
— a  bust,  or  a  statue.  As  to  any  allegorical  device  he  Avas  toto  ccelo 
opposed  to  it.  He  referred  to  his  communication  with  the  committee 
for  Wilberforce's  monument,  who  had  voted  £500  for  that  purpose, 
quite  forgetting  the  fees,  nearly  half  that  sum,  to  the  Dean  and 
Chapter.  Chantrey  read  his  letter  to  Gaily  Knight,  in  which  he 
recommended  upon  the  hospital,  college  or  whatever  the  subscription 
should  be  appropriated  to,  a  slab  inscribed  with  Wilberforce's  name, 
and  claims  to  the  honour  of  giving  a  title  to  such  an  institution ;  but 
deprecating  any  paltry  record  in  Westminster  Abbey,  where  it  would 
teach  no  lesson  and  attract  no  attention ;  or  if  any  monument  were 
placed  there  he  advised  a  statue,  concealing  his  deformity,  but  bearing 
in  its  expression  indications  of  those  great  qualities  which  had  dis- 
tinguished him — if  desirable  let  there  be  a  bas-relief  upon  his  pedestal 
representing  his  giving  freedom  to  the  negroes.  He  denounced 
allegory  without  reservation — take  the  wings  from  victory  and  what 
is  she?  In  young  Bacon's^  monument  of  Sir  J.  Moore,  he  told  us, 
a  stout  fellow,  representing  Valour,  was  lowering  the  feet  of  the  dead 
hero,  and  a  winged  Victory  letting  down  by  a  wreath  under  the  arms 
the  body  into  the  grave,  i.  e.  Valour  and  Victory  burying  Sir  John 
Moore.  When  Valour  is  represented  digging  a  grave,  put  him  on  a 
soldier's  jacket  and  he  becomes  a  pioneer.  His  account  of  his 
employment  by  the  Committee  of  Taste  showed  what  such  committees 
are ;  yet  Sir  George  Beaumont  ^  was  on  this  referred  to,  but  had 
honesty  enough  eventually  to  confess  himself  in  error.  Chantrey  never 
would  send  in  a  sketch,  or  submit  to  their  criticism.     He  would  not 

Ireland  Scholarships  at  Oxford  ;  son  of  an  Ashburton  butcher  ;  his  intimate  friend,  William 
Gifford,  the  famous  critic  and  editor  of  the  Quarterly  Review,  was  the  son  of  an  Ashburton 
glazier.  , 

^  John  Bacon  (1777-1859),  son  of  John  Bacon,  R.A. ;  both  father  and  son  executed 
monuments  for  Westminster  Abbey  and  St.  Paul's. 

^  Sir  George  Howiand  Beaumount,  Bart.  (1753-1827),  country  gentleman  and  amateur 
painter ;  best  known  as  the  friend  of  Wordsworth  ;  one  of  the  originators  of  the  National 
Gallery. 

100 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

allegorize,  and  therefore  he  was  vulgar  and  unpoetical.     Once,  for  a 

freak,  he  sent  in  a  sketch  of  a  relievo  for  Lord 's  monument,  who 

recovered  the  day,  almost  lost,  by  a  desperate  charge,  in  which  he  was 
killed  and  twenty-two  bullets  were  picked  from  his  coat  and  waistcoat. 
He  portrayed  the  event  in  relief — the  hero  in  the  act  of  charging 
with  his  troops :  he  copied  the  same,  only  substituting  a  figure  of 
Victory  for  the  General ;  sent  both.  The  Committee  chose  the 
Victory !  Chantrey  pointed  out  the  folly  and  bad  taste  they  had  been 
guilty  of,  and,  when  too  late  to  rectify,  they  began  to  know  their 
mistake.  Chantrey  has  not  received  .£8000  of  the  money  voted  for 
public  monuments,  while  others  have  taken  above  .£40,000.  I  asked 
him  if  he  did  not  value  highly,  in  comparison  with  himself,  his  statue 
of  Washington ;  he  said  he  did ;  and  I  observed  to  him  how  strongly 
the  simple  dignity  of  the  figure,  and  the  happy  union  of  the  military 
and  civil  characters,  had  impressed  themselves  on  my  memory.  He 
said  that  he  had  been  most  anxious  about  it,  and  as  the  order  had  been 
transmitted  to  him  through  Mr.  West  ^  he  thought  it  only  a  due 
compliment  to  him,  as  an  American  and  President  of  our  Academy, 
to  consult  him  upon  it.  In  consequence  he  called  on  him  and  requested 
that  he  would  sketch  a  design  for  the  statue.  West  promised  that 
he  would.  Six  years  elapsed,  during  which  Chantrey  had  often  urged 
and  as  often  been  answered  by  the  old  man,  that  "  he  was  thinking 
of  it,  that  it  was  a  diflRcult  subject."  At  last,  having  heard  that  he 
was  ill,  Chantrey  went  determined  to  press  him  upon  the  subject. 
He  found  him  so  much  weakened  that  he  evidently  had  not  a  fortnight 
to  live,  and  yet  the  old  man  was  indulging  in  dreamy  hopes  and 
intentions  of  completing  pictures  on  a  scale  far  beyond  anything  he 
had  ever  yet  attempted.  Chantrey  pressed  him  on  the  design  for 
Washington's  statue.  "  Why,  sir,  I  am  thinking  of  it ;  I  have  thought 
a  great  deal  about  it,  but  it  is  very  difficult."  Chantrey,  clearly 
perceiving  this  to  be  the  last  opportunity  he  should  ever  have  of 
learning  his  views,  requested  some  intimation  of  the  idea  that  had 
presented  itself  to  him.  "  Why,  sir,"  said  West,  ''  I  intend  represent- 
ing him  with  one  hand  laying  down  the  sword  and  with  the  other  taking 
up  the  plough-share."  '*This  satisfied  me,"  said  Chantrey,  "as  to 
my  hopes  of  assistance  from  him,  and  six  days  after  I  left  him  I  heard 
of  his  death." 

The   impossibility    of   distinguishing    which   hand   was    in    the    act 

*  Benjamin  West  (1738-1820) ;  succeeded  Sit  Joshua  Reynolds  as  P.K.A. 

lOI 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

of  laying  down  and  which  of  taking  up  was  directly  apparent ;  but 
Chantrey  gave  an  instance  of  it,  which  I  do  not  wish  to  forget. 
Home  Took,  with  whom  he  was  on  terms  of  intimacy,  told  him  that 
when  his  book,  the  Diversions  of  Purleyj  was  coming  out,  Cipriani 
offered  to  make  the  design  for  a  frontispiece,  and  Bartolozzi  to  engrave 
it ;  Home  Took  accepting  the  offers,  mentioned  the  subject  he  wished  : 
Mercury  putting  off  his  winged  sandals.  The  piece  was  completed  and 
sent  to  Home  Took,  who  could  not  distinguish  the  precise  action  of 
the  figure,  who,  instead  of  taking  off,  seemed  to  him  to  be  putting 
his  sandals  on.  I  questioned  him  on  the  applicability  of  sculpture  to 
subjects  of  such  extent  as  precluded  the  power  of  taking  in  the  whole 
at  a  coup  d'oeil,  in  reference  to  Lough's  group  of  the  Centaurs  and 
Lapithae.  He  at  once  pronounced  against  it,  or  against  more  than 
one  figure,  except  where  combination  is  necessary  to  explain  and 
strengthen  the  sentiment  of  part.  He  instanced  the  Niobe,  and  our 
conversation  rambling  to  the  Laocoon,  an  exception  to  the  general 
rule  against  action  in  statues  laid  down  by  Chantrey,  he  called  on  us 
to  note  that  the  attitude  of  the  Laocoon,  though  one  of  active  and 
agonizing  pain,  was  still  one  of  ease,  and  sitting  down  he  threw  himself 
into  the  attitude  of  a  man  yawning,  which  exactly  corresponded  with 
the  figure  of  the  Laocoon  before  us. 

Returned  home  much  fatigued,  which  I  ascribed  to  my  unrecruited 
expenditure  of  strength  last  night.  Went  to  Mr.  Warren's  ^ — met 
two  or  three  pretty,  agreeable  women.  Mr.  Holt,*  Bencher,  Mr. 
Malins,^  Perry,*  Smith,  who  had  just  published  a  tragedy.  Dr.  Spurgin 
and  others,  not  omitting  a  very  interesting  man,  Mr.  Walpole,^  who 
came  in  after  dinner.  I  enjoyed  a  pleasant  day,  except  that  Mr.  Holt 
introduced  a  discussion   of  Homer   and   Greek   during  dinner,   which 

^  See  note  p.  94. 

*  Francis  Ludlow  Holt,  of  the  Northern  Circuit,  and  Vice-Chancellor  of  the  Duchy  of 
Lancaster. 

3  Richard  Malins  (1805-1882),  Q.C.,  M.P.,  and  eventually  one  of  the  Vice-Chancellors, 
in  which  capacity,  nearly  forty  years  later,  he  tried  a  case  which  roust  have  greatly  interested 
Macready,  namely,  that  in  which  Dr.  Hayman  sought  redress  against  Dr.  Temple  and  others 
in  connection  with  his  Headmastership  of  Rugby  School. 

*  Fellow  of  Jesus  College,  Cambridge,  and  for  some  time  principal  secretary  to  Lord 
Lyndhurst  when  Chancellor, 

'  Spencer  Horatio  Walpole  (1806-1898),  Q.C.,  M.P.  Home  Secretary  in  three  Con- 
servative Administrations.  Proved  unequal  to  his  responsibilities  during  the  Hyde  Park 
"  Reform  "  riots  in  1866,  when  he  retired  from  official  life.  His  lachrymose  interview  with 
the  Reform  League  leaders,  at  which  he  concluded  an  ignominious  peace,  was  much  derided 
at  the  time. 

102 


1884]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

drew  a  common  line  of  Homer  from  me,  and  gained  me  very  undeserved 
credit  for  my  general  knowledge  of  the  poet.  A  long  discussion  on 
religion,  in  which  I  was  opposed  by  all  the  remaining  party,  kept  me 
there  till  half-past  one,  as  I  did  not  chose  to  leave  my  character  behind 
me.     I  walked  home  with  Mr.  Walpole,  whom  I  liked  much. 

February  1th. — Called  on  Wallace  to  learn  his  feeling  on  Sheil's 
affair ;  he  was  in  the  House  on  Wednesday  night,  and  told  me  that 
Sheil  behaved  well,  that  he  had  seen  him  on  the  previous  day,  dis- 
suaded him  from  allowing  O'Connell  to  interfere,  and  gained  his 
assurance  that  he  would  stand  forward  and  vindicate  himself;  at  the 
same  time  Wallace  dissuaded  him  from  his  first  intention  of  speaking 
on  the  address.  All  this  good  counsel  was  neutralized  by  Sheil's  want 
of  firmness  and  judgment  to  resist  the  offer  of  O'Connell 's  interference ; 
and  Wallace's  plan  was  abandoned  for  the  less  direct  one  of  O'Connell's 
leading.  Nothing  could  be  more  frank  than  the  testimony  Wallace 
bore  to  the  unaffected  cheerfulness  with  which  Sheil  consented  to  place 
himself  in  his  hands  and  go  to  any  necessary  extremities.  I  was 
greatly  relieved  by  this,  and  in  hearing  Wallace's  confident  expectation 
that  he  would  come  triumphantly  out  of  the  inquiry.  At  Warren's 
yesterday  he  was  spoken  of  more  respectfully  than  I  had  anticipated, 
but  my  own  anxiety  for  him  blinded  me  to  his  actual  position.  Wallace 
said  that  the  two  men  who  showed  the  most  generous  and  friendly 
spirit  to  Sheil  were  Sir  H.  Hardinge^  and  Sir  Robert  Peel.  Read 
Pemberton's  review  of  my  King  John,  which  is  too  eulogistic.  His 
imagination  lends  me  attributes  not  my  own. 

February  9th. — Read  eight  chapters  of  Leviticus.  In  reading  these 
chapters  of  the  Bible,  it  occurred  to  me  as  a  question  why  the  present 
Churchmen  hold  us  partially  and  not  generally  to  the  Jewish  law ; 
why  we  are  called  on  for  a  literal  belief  of  everything  asserted,  yet 
exempted  from  obedience  to  many  things  commanded — especially  as 
Christ  came  not  to  destroy  the  law,  but  to  confirm  the  law ;  and 
especially  as  we  find  by  St.  Paul  that  circumcision  was  practised  among 
the  Christians  after  the  death  of  our  Saviour.  It  is  merely  an  addi- 
tional  instance   of  how  much   the   intermeddling   hand   of   man   has 

1  Henry  Hardinge  (1785-1856),  afterwards  first  Viscount  Hardinge  ;  on  Sir  John  Moore's 
staff  at  Corunna  and  present  at  his  death  ;  served  with  distinction  throughout  the  Peninsular 
campaign ;  entered  Parliament  1820 ;  member  of  Wellington's  and  Peel's  Administra- 
tions ;  Governor-General  of  India  1844-7  5  Commander-in-Chief  in  England  1852-5  ; 
Field  Marshal  1855.  He  imported  into  politics  the  chivalry  that  distinguished  him  in  the 
field. 

103 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

perverted  for  his  own  convenience  the  divine  religion  which  Jesus 
Christ  taught. 

February  10th. — Could  not  get  up  when  called  this  morning,  so 
overcome  did  I  feel  from  want  of  sleep ;  all  the  coaches  had  passed, 
and  left  me  to  make  a  virtue  of  necessity,  which  I  did  by  sending  my 
cloak,  etc.,  to  town,  and  setting  off  in  the  sharp  air  of  the  morning 
upon  a  most  delightful  walk.  It  thawed  as  the  sun  shone  out,  but  not 
enough  to  lessen  the  pleasure  of  my  exercise  and  the  enjoyment  of  my 
respiration  in  the  fresh  pure  air.  I  quite  luxuriated  in  the  exhilarating 
sensations  I  experienced.  As  I  came  in  sight  of  the  fourth  milestone 
a  gentleman  in  a  very  neat  gig  reined  up  and  inquired :  "  Mr. 
Macready,  would  you  like  to  ride?  "  I  thanked  him  with  all  the 
courtesy  I  could  summon,  but  told  him  I  was  walking  for  exercise, 
and  very  thankfully  declined  his  offer.  This  circumstance,  and  having 
met  several  of  our  villagers  wheeling  home  the  coal  I  had  given  them, 
united  to  increase  the  cheerful  spirits  which  enlivened  my  walk.  The 
coach  passed  me,  but  I  would  not  use  it.  Took  an  omnibus  as  I 
approached  the  New  Road ;  coming  home  found  notes  from  Smith, 
Fred.  Reynolds  and  Atherstone.  Went  to  the  Garrick  Club  and  saw 
newspapers — the  Times  basely  endeavouring  to  prejudice  Sheil.  The 
translation  of  Scribe's  comedy  has  succeeded,  but  is  said  by  those  who 
saw  it  to  be  overpraised  in  the  papers.  Wallace  called  for  me,  wishing 
me  to  call  with  him  on  Sheil  at  the  Athenaeum,  which  we  did,  but  in 
vain ;  he  was  absent.  Returning  Wallace  asked  me  to  lend  him  £16 
and  accept  his  note  at  three  months.  I  received  the  application  very 
ungraciously,  for  it  is  unfeeling,  indelicate,  and  scarcely  honest  to 
importune  me  who  have  a  family  to  provide  for,  whose  expectations 
are  seriously  injured  by  what  I  have  already  done  for  Wallace  and 
some  others.  I  know  not  what  to  think  of  it,  but  I  feel  it  is  too  had! 
Returning  to  Club,  saw  Abbott,  Fladgate,  etc.  Wallace  came  in  from 
the  House,  and  represented  Sheil 's  position  as  greatly  improved  by 
the  debate  of  the  night. 

February  12t/^. — I  took  up  Mr.  Atherstone's  tragedy  of  Philip, 
and  with  the  single  intervention  of  one  quarter  of  an  hour  to  the 
newspaper,  persevered  even  to  its  complete  perusal.  I  wrote  a  note 
to  Mr.  Atherstone  expressive  of  my  opinion  of  its  very  great  merit, 
and  recommending  him  to  send  it  to  the  manager  with  a  reference  to 
me,  if  he  thought  such  a  testimony  of  any  value.  There  is  much  to 
praise  in  it — some  very  sweet  poetical  passages,  and  a  very  good  attempt 
at  character  in  Philip ;  but  a  want  of  acquaintance  with  effect,  and 
104 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

dramatic  tact  is  too  frequently  manifested  to  leave  hope  of  its  success 
in  representation.  Wrote  also  to  Mr.  Condy,  Manchester,  and  Rev. 
Mr.  Butler,  Nottingham  (who  sends  his  hero  into  a  dog-kennel  with 
the  exception  of  one  leg,  by  which  the  heroine  discovers  him,  imagining 
that  it  is  all  that  is  left  of  him,  the  dog  having  eaten  the  rest !),  and 
returned  them  their  plays  from  the  theatre.  Read  the  review 
(Edinburgh)  of  Wiffen's  House  of  Russell,  which  was  lively,  and  gave 
a  confirmation  of  all  that  one  had  heard  disgusting  in  that  disgusting 
man  George  III ;  represented  Lord  Chatham  much  less  amiable  than 
I  had  believed  him ;  and  accused  Burke  of  wilful  defamation  in  his 
character  of  the  first  Earl  of  Bedford,  under  Henry  VII  and  VIII. 
Wiffen  traces  the  family  to  a  Norman  descent,  du  Rozel.^  As  a  family 
they  do  not  appear  conspicuous  for  talent.  Lord  William  Russell  ^ 
is  the  most  interesting  name  in  the  whole  line.  Read  a  review  on  the 
Law  of  Libels  against  Christianity,  in  which  an  acute  and  sensible 
work,  by  a  writer  under  the  name  of  Edward  Search,  is  cleverly  and 
liberally  examined.  Coming  home  found  my  dear  family  all  ^oH, 
thank  God !  Read  the  review  of  Thackeray's  ^  Lord  Chatham,  which 
gives  amusing  sketches  of  himself  and  his  contemporaries  and  some 
entertaining  anecdotes :  Temple's  parallel  of  Byng  at  Minorca  and 
the  King  at  Oudenarde,  etc. 

February  13f/i. — On  going  to  my  study  I  looked  over  the  towns 
that  seemed  likely  to  afford  me  employment  in  the  summer,  and  thought 
over  some  plans  for  profit,  which  do  not  promise  much — one  was  the 
Birmingham  theatre,  but  the  recollection  of  this  being  the  Oratorio 
year  and  the  opening  of  the  new  Town  Hall  obliges  me  to  lay  aside 
any  further  thought  on  the  subject.  In  looking  at  the  Edinburgh 
Review  the  name  of  Stanley  ^  arrested  me,  and  I  was  led  into  an 
inquisition  on  the  cause  of  my  dislike  to  that  man.  It  is  very  much 
owing  to  his  pertness  and  petulance,  something  to  the  quality  which 
is  the  theme  of  praise  in  the  review,  his  skill  in  debate,  which  argues 
subtlety  and  disingenuousness  such  as  I  have  more  than  once  noted 
in  him.     It  also  occurred  to  me  to  ask  how  far  it  may  be  referable 

*  A  myth  ;  see  "  The  Origin  of  the  Russells  "  in  Sitidies  in  Peerage  and  Family  History 
by  H.  Round. 

*  vVilliam,  Lord  Russell  (1639-1683),  the  Patriot, 

^  Not  the  novelist,  but  his  relative,  a  clergyman,  whose  Life  of  Chatham  was  very  con- 
temptuously treated  by  Macaulay,  though  he  used  it  as  a  peg  on  which  to  hang  his  two 
fp-noiis  essays  on  the  great  statesman. 

*  Afterwards  Earl  of  Derby,  the  Prime  Minister.  Macready's  comments  on  his  character 
were  not  unjustified. 

105 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1884 

to  that  envious  impatience  of  others'  progress  in  life,  when  we  feel  our- 
selves stationary  ;  I  would  not  deny  the  existence  of  such  an  unbecoming 
motive,  lest  I  should  deprive  myself  by  such  confidence  of  the  power  of 
eradicating  what  I  utterly  condemn.  Read  review  (Edinburgh)  of 
Miss  Aikin's  memoirs  of  Charles  I.  We  may  be  mistaken  in  our  ideas 
of  that  man's  belief  of  his  prerogative's  extent ;  we  can  have  no  doubt 
of  his  barbarity,  injustice,  and  treachery.  What  horrid  blasphemy  is 
the  form  of  prayer  on  his  martyrdom  !  Read  two  party  reviews  against 
the  Tories,  which  were  too  manifestly  Whiggish  to  interest  one  who 
would  despise  any  distinctions  but  those  of  right  and  wrong. 

February  14<th. — My  valentine  was  Mr.  Bartley,  whose  letter  com- 
municated to  me  the  reluctance  of  the  actors  to  join  in  giving  a  dinner 
and  testimonial  to  poor  old  Dowton.  For  myself  this  resolution  takes 
much  care  from  me,  and  renders  to  me  time  which  I  want.  It  liberates 
me,  moreover,  from  any  notion  of  interest  or  concern  as  due  from  me 
to  my  **  professional  brethren."  There  is  no  single  feeling  or  idea  of 
duty  common  to  us.  "  Down  to  the  dust  with  them,  slaves  as  they 
are."  They  are  low  men,  of  low  extraction,  uneducated,  and  un- 
restrained in  their  naked  baseness  by  any  moral  or  gentlemanly  feeling. 
So  be  it !  ^  Answered  Mr.  Bartley's  note  in  a  civil  and  regretful 
strain,  and  really  I  felt  regret  at  the  loss  of  an  occasion  to  gladden 
the  declining  years  of  a  meritorious  actor  by  an  acknowledgment  from 
his  profession  of  his  worth  and  talent,  and  at  the  obligation  pressed 
upon  me  of  thinking  less  kindly  of  the  members  of  my  unfortunate 
profession.  I  took  up  Miss  Austen's  novel  of  Emma,  which  engrossed 
my  attention  the  whole  evening. 

Elstree,  February  15th. — Finished  Miss  Austen's  Emma,  which 
amused  me  very  much,  impressing  me  with  a  high  opinion  of  her  powers 
of  drawing  and  sustaining  character,  though  not  satisfying  me  always 
with  the  end  and  aim  of  her  labours.  She  is  successful  in  painting 
the  ridiculous  to  the  life,  and  while  she  makes  demands  on  our  patience 
for  the  almost  intolerable  absurdities  and  tediousness  of  her  well-mean- 
ing gossips,  she  does  not  recompense  us  for  what  we  suffer  from  her 
conceited  and  arrogant  nuisances  by  making  their  vices  their  punish- 
ments.    We  are  not  much  better,  but  perhaps  a  little  more  prudent 

^  Macready's  kindly  interest  in  Dowton  somewhat  moderated  when  that  veteran  not  long 
afterwards  joined  his  company  at  Bath.  The  profession  probably  had  good  reason  for  not 
considering  him  at  that  time  an  appropriate  subject  for  a  complimentary  dinner  ;  moreover, 
it  is  likely  that,  with  the  best  intentions,  Macready  was  not  an  ingratiatory  advocate.  His 
demeanour  to  his  "professional  brethren"  was  somewhat  reserved  and  haughty,  making 
them  feel  that  though  of  them  he  was  not  with  them. 
1 06 


1834]  THE   DIARIES    OF   MACREADY 

for  her  writings.  She  does  not  probe  the  vices ;  but  lays  bare  the 
weaknesses  of  character :  the  blemish  on  the  skin,  and  not  the  corrup- 
tion at  the  heart  is  what  she  examines.  Mrs.  Brunton's  books  have  a 
far  higher  aim  ;  they  try  to  make  us  better,  and  it  is  an  addition 
to  our  previous  faults  if  they  do  not.  The  necessity,  the  comfort  and 
the  elevating  influence  of  piety  is  continually  inculcated  throughout 
her  works — which  never  appear  in  Miss  Austen's.^ 

LondoUy  February  llth. — Went  to  Garrick  Club,  lunched,  and  read 
the  Times — the  honourable  Times  of  Saturday — on  Sheil's  acquittal. 
How  diflBcult  to  repress  the  murmurs  of  discontent,  beholding  success 
attendant  on  such  base  persons  as  the  writers  of  this  paper, ^  the  Age, 
Satirist,  etc.,  but  it  is  our  duty  to  think  to  our  own  good,  and  as  little 
as  possible  to  others'  evil.  Came  home  very  uncomfortable  in  mind. 
Reynolds's  information  of  the  money  Bunn  had  last  year  received — 
£2,5  per  week,  and  an  immense  benefit,  was  an  added  proof  (even  let 
the  man  hereafter  do  what  he  may,  for  he  could  not  then  know,  nor 
guess  at  subsequent  events)  how  vile  a  being  he  is.  My  own  con- 
dition, and  the  fate  of  my  blessed  children,  which  only  makes  it  fearful, 
looked  most  uncheerily  to  me.  I  could  not  rally  my  spirits  to  go  to 
the  theatre  or  the  House  of  Commons,  but  sat  for  a  time  in  unhappy 
and  sickly  musing.  I  then  began  to  think  on  what  was  necessary  to 
be  done,  and  on  one  point  am  satisfied :  that  I  must  shake  off  my 
indolence  for  my  children's  sake.  Thought  on  the  necessity  of 
cultivating  my  profession  daily — of  rising  early — using  industry  and 
energy.  Let  me  hope  these  will  not  turn  out  mere  resolutions,  but 
have  the  seeds  of  good  within  them. 

February  ISth. — Went  to  Drury  Lane  to  see  the  Minister  and 
Mercer;  felt  it  heavy,  and  was  disappointed  in  the  acting.  Farren, 
who  is  highly  praised,  was  as  hard  and  harsh  as  a  crabstick  and  artificial 
to  the  last  degree ;  a  man  speaking  points  at  an  audience  all  through 
the  play.  Dowton  was  better  than  my  fears,  often  very  humorous. 
Miss  E.  Tree  is  not  the  actress ;  she  is  good,  but  not  more ;  in  embrac- 
ing Mrs.  Glover  ^  her  heart  should  have  been  in  her  arms,  but  there 

1  Macready  may  have  been  right,  but  at  the  .present  day  Miss  Austen  ranks  among  the 
most  honoured  of  English  novelists,  while  probably  Mrs.  Bninton  cannot  be  credited  with  a 
single  reader. 

*  As  may  be  gathered  from  quotations  given  elsewhere,  the  style  and  tone  of  the  'limes 
were  then  very  different  to  those  which,  inaugurated  by  Delaiie,  invariably  distinguish  it  at  the 
present  day. 

»  Julia  Glover,  n^e  Betterton  (1779-1850) ;  a  brilliant  comMentte,  but  at  her  zenith  in  the 
second  decade  of  the  nineteenth  century. 

107 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

was  no  Slancementf  no  forgetfulness  of  self;  it  was  pretty  and 
moderately  interesting ;  it  might  have  been  much  more.  Cooper  was 
a  very  dull  middle-aged  man  acting  the  part  of  an  ardent  boy  ;  Webster 
was  as  coarse  and  unreal  as  the  clown  of  an  amphitheatre ;  a  most 
unartistlike  performance.  Read  Livy  in  bed,  and  was  impressed 
with  the  graphic  power  of  the  historian.  Read  Childe  Harold  aloud 
for  practice  and  amusement.  I  have  reflected  much  of  late  on  ray 
condition  ;  my  mind,  that  emanation  from  and  best  gift  of  the  Divinity, 
has  elevated  me  to  the  mere  rank  of  a  player,  whose  merit,  as  such, 
is  admitted  by  few,  or  when  admitted  in  a  degree,  grudgingly  and 
with  indifference  by  the  many.  And  it  is  this  for  which  I  have  lived ! 
to  be  classed  in  common  repute  with  things  like  Mr.  H  .  .  1  .  y  ^  and 
Mr.  Farren,  or  sunk  beneath  the  ungenerous,  vulgar  nature  of  Kean  I 
And  in  the  future  no  prospect,  no  hope  of  redemption ;  my  energies 
must  be,  ought  to  be,  and  I  trust  will  be,  bent  to  improve  myself  in 
my  profession,  in  the  dear  hope  of  my  heart — its  dearest — to  leave  my 
children  at  least  independent  of  a  world  that,  with  much  of  individual 
good,  is  a  mere  material  for  a  higher  mind  to  use  in  compassing  the 
object  of  its  ambition.  Perhaps  I  might  have  been  far  happier  had 
my  education  been  level  with  my  situation ;  let  it  be  a  lesson  to  me  in 
the  formation  of  my  dear  children's  minds. 

Fehruary  Idth. — Felt  disgusted  and  ashamed  of  the  prostitution 
of  the  word  honour,  when  I  hear  it  assigned  to  men  like  Althorp  and 
Stanley,  who  would  gloze  over  such  baseness  as  appears  in  the  pension 
list,^  and  denounce  men,  as  in  Sheil's  supposed  case,  for  mere  levity 
of  conversation.  Went  out,  as  soon  as  I  could  despatch  my  business 
within,  and  called  at  the  theatre  for  Mr.  Bunn,  then  at  his  house ; 
was  denied,  afterwards  admitted  into  a  richly,  not  tastefully  furnished 
dining-room.  Turkey  carpet,  damask  curtains,  liqueurs  and  cake  on 
the  sideboard,  easy  chairs — which  my  unpaid  ,£200  and  gift  of  £100 
would  have  more  than  paid  for.  He  acknowledged  Dunn's  mistake, 
and  said  it  was  rectified.  Talked  much  ridiculous  slang  about  the 
theatres — "Knowles's  Blind  B  .  .  .  r  of  Bethnal  Green,"  and  such 
like  ribaldry ;  pretended  that  he  merely  wished  to  get  afloat,  and  then 
give  the  drama  its  chance.     Yes! ! ! 

Elstree,  Fehruary  Sl4<th. — Rose  again  in  good  time,  and  immediately 
proceeded  to  the  business  before  me ;  wrote  to  Mr.  Mackie  about  my 

*  Presumably  Harley. 

^  The  Whig  Government's  pension  list  was  hardly  in  accord  with  their  gospel  of  retrench- 
ment, but  Macready's  invective  was  (as  too  often)  greatly  exaggerated, 

io8 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

books,  and  read  nearly  a  hundred  lines  of  Virgil,  continuing  the  sixth 
book,  Mneid,  from  where  I  had  left  off  :  the  interview  between  the 
shade  of  Deiphobus  and  ^Eneas ;  there  seems  little  judgment  in  making 
the  ghosts  of  the  victor  Greeks  fly  in  terror  from  the  sight  of  a  leader 
who  had  so  frequently  been  discomfited  by  them ;  it  is  unworthy  of 
the  poet,  and  does  not  tend  to  elevate  his  hero.  There  were  several 
lines  which  impressed  me  strongly.  A  letter  from  Kenney,^  stating 
his  having  heard  of  my  wish  to  belong  to  the  Athenaeum,^  and  that  if 
it  were  so,  he  thought  it  might  be  accomplished,  requesting  me  at  the 
same  time  to  keep  his  communication  a  secret.  I  answered  it,  thank- 
fully accepting  his  good  offices,  if  they  could  procure  me  admission 
without  a  ballot.  The  whole  of  the  afternoon  was  occupied  without 
intermission  in  replacing  my  books  in  the  study.  After  dinner  I  began 
Pope's  preface  to  his  Homer,  but  desisted  from  it  to  read  Fox's 
speech  on  the  law  of  libel,  which  is  clear  reasoning,  and  I  think 
demonstrative  in  its  effect. 

February  ^6th. — Read  the  last  acts  of  Luke,^  which,  though 
possessing  a  considerable  share  of  truth  and  much  originality,  is  still 
little  more  than  a  sketch  :  the  result  is  not  enough ;  there  are  no 
struggles  of  the  heart,  no  gradual  revolutions  of  man's  nature — it  is 
a  brief  dramatic  tale.  Walked  in  the  garden,  enjoying  the  beauty  of 
the  day,  the  fond  rough  salutations  of  my  dogs,  the  peeping  flowers, 
and,  most  of  all,  my  darling  Christina's  playfulness.  A  note  from 
Forster  about  Knowles's  play,  Talfourd's  speech,  Bulwer's  bill  and 
other  miscellanies,  which  I  answered  in  equal  variety.  A  note  also 
from  Kenney,  explanatory  of  the  mode  of  getting  me  into  the 
Athenaeum,  by  naming  me  as  a  candidate  for  a  yearly  nomination  : 
I  answered  it. 

Dublin^  March  4t/i. — Miss  Huddart  was  saying  at  rehearsal  that 
I  was  the  only  person  she  had  known  who  had  not  forfeited  their  title 
to  reputation,  or  rather  to  personal  consideration.  If  she  could  lay 
bare   my  heart  and   mind,   and   see  the  inclination   of  the   one  and 

^  James  Kenney  (1780- 1849),  author  of  Raising  the  ^»w^/ and  other  successful  pieces  ; 
a  friend  of  Charles  Lamb,  who  was  godfather  of  his  son,  C.  L.  Kenney,  also  an  author  of 
some  repute. 

-  The  name  appears  in  the  Candidates'  Book  of  the  Athen:vum  Club,  under  date  of 
Feb.  28th,  1834.  No.  1029.  W.  C.  Macready,  proposed  by  James  Kenney,  seconded  by 
Charles  Mayne  Young,  and  afterwards  as  elected  by  the  Committee  on  June  21st,  1838, 
when  forty  members,  to  be  so  elected,  were  added  to  the  Club  by  a  vote  of  the  annual  meet- 
ing held  in  May  of  that  year  [note  by  Sir  F.  Pollock). 

*  Macready's  part  in  Riches. 

109 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

weakness  of  the  other,  she  would  see  that  I  owe  my  good  fortune,  if 
indeed  I  possess  it,  to  the  goodness  of  my  destiny  rather  than  my  own 
virtue.  Looked  at  my  dress :  Colonel  D'Aguilar  called,  and  said  he 
would  return  at  four.  In  the  meantime  I  looked  at  the  paper,  and 
read  and  thought  on  Tell.  Colonel  D'Aguilar  called  again,  and  sat  nearly 
an  hour.  I  went  to  the  theatre,  and  acted  remarkably  well — in  a 
sustained,  impressive,  measured  style  of  enthusiasm  and  nobleness.  I 
felt  my  improvement.  My  foolish  friend,  Pritchard,  was  the  means 
of  sending  me  on  to  the  call  of  some  silly  roarers  in  the  gallery  before 
an  audience  that  really  did  not  want  to  see  me.  It  almost  put  me  into 
low  spirits.  I  forgot  to  notice  my  want  of  presence  of  mind  in  suffer- 
ing myself  to  be  angry  with  the  little  boy  that  acted  Albert  in  William 
Tell ;  he  forgot  all  his  principal  directions,  and  disconcerted  me ;  but 
had  he  been  ten  times  more  negligent,  I  could  not  find  a  justification 
for  my  behaviour  in  his  inattention.  Mr.  Mercer,  who  was  so  rude  in 
this  very  play  in  London,  was  Melchthal — poverty-stricken  and  spirit- 
less, from  intemperance  and  cares.  Mr.  Arden,  who  was  such  a  vulgar 
and  insolent  person  that  I  would  not  have  engaged  to  act  with  him, 
sent  to  Cooper  requesting  a  subscription  from  the  Drury  Lane 
Company,  before  I  left  London.     "Oh  world  I  thy  slippery  turns." 

March  5th. — The  information  of  the  wretched  profligates  at  Elstree 
throwing  down  our  rick  in  wantonness  disgusted  and  annoyed  me. 
Went  to  see  a  piece  which  has  been  very  attractive  here.  Life  in 
Dublin — a  piece  neither  calculated  to  raise  the  genius,  nor  to  mend 
the  heart,  and  only  fit  for  a  minor  theatre ;  but  the  indifference  of  the 
public  to  more  intellectual  amusements  is  some  justification  to  a  needy 
manager  for  any  attempt  he  may  make  to  sustain  himself  even  at  the 
expense  of  taste.  Have  been  in  low  spirits  throughout  the  day,  which 
may  be  attributable  to  my  health,  but  which  I  am  inclined  to  ascribe 
rather  to  my  frequent  ruminations,  and  generally  sad  ones,  upon  the 
gloomy  complexion  of  theatrical  affairs.     En  Dieu  mon  espirance  I 

March  1th. — Called  on  Miss  Huddart,  with  whom  I  sat  the  whole 
evening.  Nor  have  I  the  least  cause  to  reproach  myself  for  so  doing. 
I  was  so  low-spirited  that  nothing  but  the  presence  of  female  society 
could  soothe  my  fretful  state  of  mind ;  and  spending  the  evening  in 
tranquil  and  rational  conversation  gave  ease  to  my  spirits.  I  came 
home  to  write,  but  the  apprehension  of  an  intruder  from  the  next 
room  made  me  hurry  off  to  bed. 

March  8th. — Rose  late  again,  but  with  a  feeling  of  improved 
health,  and  indeed  remained  thinking  in  bed  from  mistaking  the  hour 
IIO 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

on  the  watch.  Before  I  went  to  rehearsal  I  wrote  a  copy  of  my  answer 
to  Mr.  Cooper,  in  which  I  shall  not  let  Mr.  Bunn  have  an  opportunity 
of  saying  I  thwart  him ;  if  he  wishes  to  ruin  the  little  chance  belonging 
to  SardanapaluSy  I  do  not  feel  that  I  have  the  right  to  stop  him ;  at 
any  rate  it  is  not  worth  a  contest.  Went  to  rehearsal.  I  do  not  like 
Mr.  Ternan's  mode  of  behaviour :  it  is  difficult  to  say  who  will  or  will 
not  be  an  actor,  but  I  do  not  think  this  person  in  his  private  capacity 
will  ever  shed  lustre  on  the  theatrical  profession.  He  seems  to  me 
opinionated,  jealous,  and  of  course  little-minded.  Walked  out  with 
Calcraft  afterwards  for  a  short  distance ;  returning,  sent  for  the  Free- 
mari's  Journal,  which  was  not  worth  its  cost ;  rested  myself,  and  read 
a  little  of  Werner,  which  for  my  own  particular  sake,  and  to  bear 
down  the  nasty  little  attempts  to  detract  from  my  effect  in  Mr.  Ternan, 
I  wished  to  act  well.  I  think  I  did  play  the  greater  part  of  it  very 
well.  I  was  collected,  and  had  my  energies  at  my  command.  Mr. 
Ternan,  without  the  shade  of  an  excuse,  tried  to  disconcert  me,  but  I 
punished  him  by  playing  my  best,  and  was  satisfied  with  the  effect 
produced.  I  do  not  like  him — he  should  associate  with  Mr.  Vanden- 
hoff,^  a  man  who  merits,  what  only  baseness  can  deserve — contempt. 

March  9th. — Walked  out  to  the  Military  Hospital,  where  on 
leaving  our  cards  the  servant  told  us  that  Mrs.  D'Aguilar  was  at 
home,  and  my  odious  mauvaise  honte  made  me  commit  the  inexcusable 
fault  of  refusing,  on  an  idle  pretence,  to  go  in  I  No  words  can 
sufficiently  condemn  this  puerile  and  shameful  folly.  I  do  not  like 
Madame,  but  in  common  courtesy  I  ought  to  have  gone  in.  I  have 
nothing  to  offer  in  extenuation  of  my  absurd  conduct.  It  quite  annoys 
me  to  think  of  it.  Called  on  Miss  Huddart,  and  sat  with  her  for 
three  hours,  talking  chiefly  on  acting ;  I  have  nothing  to  reproach 
myself  with,  except  indolence  in  this  indulgence,  and  it  is  a  sort  of 
repose  to  my  mind  and  spirits  to  lounge  away  a  few  hours  in  the  society 
of  an  agreeable  and  handsome  woman. 

March  10th. — I  took  some  pains  with  the  rehearsal  of  Macbeth, 
and  gave  myself  a  good  lesson.  It  was  with  much  concern  I  observed 
the  exceeding  folly  of  Mr.  Pritchard,  who  exposes  himself  on  every 
possible  occasion ;  he  almost  seemed  desirous  of  doing  mischief  in 
rehearsing  the  fight,  and  I  was  obliged  to  speak  to  him  on  his  conduct. 
Calcraft  was  annoyed  by  a  demand  of  £5  per  night  from  Mr.  Knowles 
for    the    Wife,    whose    performance    has    not    averaged    the    nightly 

*  John  M.  Vandenhoff  (1790-1861),  an  actor  of  the  second  rank,  better  known  in  the 
provinces  than  in  London. 

Ill 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1884 

expenses  of  the  theatre.  Went  to  tlie  theatre,  hoping  and  expecting 
to  act  well,  but  the  lightest  breath  will  blow  down  the  airy  fabric  of 
an  actor's  hopes.  Some  irregularities  in  the  early  scenes,  and  the 
crying  of  a  child  through  the  greater  part  of  the  play  "  overturned  my 
patience,"  and  though  I  wished  to  act  well  to  Colonel  D'Aguilar,  and 
he  seemed  bent  on  being  amused,  I  could  not  produce  before  him  the 
Macbeth  of  my  full  conception.  I  laboured,  and  when  labour  is 
requisite,  the  inspiration  is  not  present.  I  was  called  for  by  the 
audience,  and  obliged  to  go  on. 

March  11th. — I  had  taken  a  newspaper  from  Calcraft's  table  that 
gave  me  very  moderate  praise  for  Macbeth,  observing  that  though 
good,  it  was  not  so  good  as  Kean's,  which  was  a  total  failure;  and  I 
sent  for  another,  in  hopes  it  might  afford  me  an  opportunity  of  send- 
ing to  Gaspey,  but  it  was  no  jot  better — par  nohile.  I  read  after 
dinner  part  of  Hamlet,  and  took  a  quarter  of  an  hour's  rest.  Went 
to  act  Virginius,  trying  to  think  of  Hamlet,  but  observing  some 
persons  in  the  theatre,  who  seemed  to  have  come  for  the  play,  I 
buckled  to  my  task,  and  played  a  great  deal  of  it  very  well.  Was 
obliged  to  go  on  afterwards  at  the  call  of  the  audience.  Calcraft 
wished  me  to  go  to  tea  with  him,  but  I  declined.  I  sent  for  Pritchard, 
and  in  the  utmost  kindness  remonstrated  with  him  on  his  behaviour, 
and,  I  fear,  ineffectively.  He  had  shown  me  very  kind  attentions  in 
Scotland,  and  I  did  not  wish  him  to  suppose  that  I  could  forget,  or 
think  lightly  of  them. 

March  14t/i. — Went  to  rehearsal  of  Wolsey,  where  I  saw  a  news- 
paper expressing  an  opinion  that  Mr.  C.  Kean's  Hamlet  was  beyond 
all  comparison  with  mine,  and  that  the  Horatio  was  excellent.  I  could 
not  be  offended  with  it,  especially  after  having  seen  the  editor.  Called 
on  Lady  Morgan,^  was  graciously  received  and  made  a  visitation.  She 
is  clever,  and  perfectly  self-possessed,  but  rather  affected  in  manner 
and  in  phrase ;  she  seems,  however,  good-natured  and  is  agreeable. 
I  was  pleased  with  my  visit.  Went  with  Calcraft  to  Colonel 
D'Aguilar 's.  Disposed  to  frissonner  at  meeting  Mrs.  D'Aguilar  after 
my  cavalier  behaviour  on  Sunday,  but  was  most  graciously  received ; 
met  Captain  du  Plat,  Boyle,  A.D.C.  to  the  Lord-Lieutenant,  Colonel 
Drummond  (Guards),  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kane,  a  family  of  the  Arnotts, 
army  tigents.  Among  strangers,  and  not  being  exactly  feti  I  did  not 
anticipate  a  very  agreeable  day,  but  it  turned  out  asses  agr^ahle. 
W^hat  is  the  most  sensitive  point  of  our  nature  ?     Is  it  not  our  vanity  ? 

'  See  note,  p.  14. 
112 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

I  believe  so,  and  wish  it  were  not  so.  My  complacency  was  restored 
by  hearing,  after  a  cessation  on  my  part  from  conversation,  an  under- 
tone of  Mrs.  Kane's  to  Colonel  D'Aguilar,  "  I  wish  you  would  make 
your  neighbour  talk."  From  that  moment  I  was  myself,  perfectly 
comfortable.     I  found  Colonel  Drummond  a  gasconading  dust.^    Mrs. 

D'A and  Madlle.   were  unusually  agreeable,   and   we   parted  la 

meilleure  socUU, 

Manchester,  March  18th. — Arriving  there,  received  a  paper,  the 
Age — to  me  the  most  disgusting  and  odious  publication  that  has  yet 
profited  by  outraging  decency — it  was  sent  to  me  by  Forster,  with 
whom  I  was  not  pleased  for  the  present.  I  acted  Werner  languidly. 
I  was  put  into  ill  temper  by  the  newspaper,  and  could  not  shake  off 
the  weight  it  laid  upon  me.  I  played  parts  tolerably  well,  and  tried 
to  make  it  a  lesson  throughout,  but  I  was  not  satisfied  with  myself. 
A  circumstance  in  the  play  amused  me  a  good  deal  and  at  my  own 
expense.  I  was  inconvenienced  and  rather  annoyed  by  Ulric  looking 
on  the  ground,  or  anywhere  but  in  my  face,  as  he  should  have  done ; 
my  displeasure,  however,  vanished  on  seeing  the  tears  fast  trickling 
down  his  cheek,  and  forgiving  his  inaccuracy  on  the  score  of  his 
sensibility,  I  continued  the  scene  with  augmented  energy  and  feeling, 
and  left  it  with  a  very  favourable  impression  of  the  young  man's  judg- 
ment and  warm-heartedness.  In  the  course  of  the  play  he  accosted  me, 
begging  my  pardon  for  his  apparent  inattention  to  me,  and  explaining 
the  cause,  viz.  that  he  had  painted  his  face  so  high  on  the  cheek  that 
the  colour  had  got  into  his  eyes,  and  kept  them  running  during  the 
whole  act.    What  an  unfortunate  disclosure ! 

March  9,0th. — Used  my  morning  in  thinking  over  Richard  III, 
which  I  shall  play  in  a  much  more  lively  vein  than  I  have  hitherto 
done;  it  is  an  absence  of  all  feeling  that  forms  the  basis  of  his 
character,  and  he  would  necessarily  be  vivacious  from  the  difiiculty  of 
disturbing  his  purposes.  I  was  not  sufiiciently  imbued  with  the  feel- 
ing of  Macbeth  to  do  complete  justice  to  myself,  but  I  tried  much  to 
throw  myself  into  the  part,  and  should  have  been  much  better  than  I 
was  but  for  the  offensive  woman,  Mrs.  Brooks,  alias  Miss  Morton,  who 
played,  in  ignorance  of  text  and  meaning.  Lady  Macbeth.  This  is  the 
woman  who  wrote  to  a  poor  mad  actor,  Mr.  Salter,  an  account  of  her 
having  borne  a  child  to  him  and  of  its  death,  when  nothing  of  the  sort 
had  happened.  And  Mr.  Mathews,  brother-in-law  of  Miss  Kelly, 
declaims  upon  the  respectability  of  the  profession !     Mrs.  Wood,  now, 

*  A  term  often  used  by  Macready,  signifying,  apparently,  a  pompous  bore. 
VOL.  I.  I  113 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

I  believe,  in  her  eightieth  year,  came  into  my  room  to  shake  hands 
with  me,  and  lament  over  the  decay  of  the  drama — poor  old  lady. 

March  21st. — Read  the  Manchester  Chronicle,  which  Clarke  gave 
me,  containing  the  account  of  the  theatrical  dinner.  How  truly 
disgusting  to  hear  men  like  Mr.  Mathews  and  Mr.  Harley  requiring 
respect  for  a  profession  which  they  in  their  speeches  as  leading  members 
prove  to  be  stored  with  ignorance,  vulgarity  and  charlatanism.  Mr. 
Cooper  also,  returning  thanks  for  Mr.  Bunn  ( I )  and  Mr.  Bunn,  an 
insolvent  debtor,  giving  £5  to  the  charity,  complete  the  farce.  Oh, 
England !  thou  art  a  beastly  country  in  every  respect  of  credulity  and 
gullibility. 

March  22nd. — When  dressed  I  scarcely  knew  how  I  should  get 
through  the  work  before  me,  and  thought  of  the  peculiarity  of  this 
profession,  which  obliges  the  sickly  frame  to  dilate  itself  with  heroic 
energy,  and  the  man  of  sorrows  to  affect  an  immoderate  buoyancy  of 
spirits,  whilst  perhaps  his  heart  is  breaking.  I  was  most  attentive  to 
the  necessity  of  subduing  my  voice,  and  letting  the  passion  rather 
than  the  lungs  awaken  the  audience.  In  consequence  I  acted  well.  I 
fail,  when  I  allow  my  tongue  and  action  to  anticipate  my  thought. 
I  cannot  bear  this  too  strongly  in  mind — Puff  I  managed  with  tolerable 
vivacity  and  earnestness,  and  the  audience  were  evidently  disposed  to 
be  pleased  with  me.  Clarke  paid  me  .£91  odd  for  the  week,  which 
made  me  think  most  gratefully  of  the  good  I  receive. 

To  ElstreCy  March  9nth. — Paid  my  bill,  made  gratuities  to  my  kind 
attendants,  and  was  at  last  seated  in  the  coach.  It  felt  a  relief  to  me, 
even  to  be  on  my  way  home.  I  was  disappointed  in  my  hopes  of 
being  alone  by  the  entry  of  a  middle-aged  plain  woman  on  the  road, 
who  seemed  to  me  too  proud  to  mount  in  an  inn-yard.  I  gave  her 
au  diable,  and  endeavoured  to  reconcile  myself  to  my  obnoxious  com- 
panion and  an  open  window  the  best  I  could.  The  sight  of  Nottingham 
Castle  from  the  plain  it  overlooks,  recalled  to  me  the  days  of  Edward 
II,  the  first  raising  of  the  tyrant  Charles's  standard,  and  the  more 
recent  destruction  of  the  building,  with  the  consequent  perquisite  of 
that  precious  sample  of  an  aristocrat  with  the  title  of  Newcastle.^ 
Another   and  another  filled   the   coach.     I   caught  a   glimpse   of  the 

*  The  fifth  Duke  (1785-1851);  a  bigoted  opponent  of  Reform,  in  consequence  of  which 
Nottingham  Castle,  his  property,  was  burned  by  a  mob  in  1831.  Mr.  Gladstone  obtained 
his  first  seat  in  Parliament  (for  Newark)  by  the  Duke's  interest,  being  then  "  the  rising  hope 
of  the  stem  unbending  Tories."  Lord  Lincoln,  the  Duke's  eldest  son  and  college  friend  of 
Gladstone,  became  the  Duke  of  Newcastle  who  had  the  misfortune  to  be  War  Minister 
during  the  most  critical  part  of  the  Crimean  campaign. 
114 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

iioman  milestone  at  Leicester  and  Eleanor's  Cross  at  Northampton, 
where  we  dined.  I  thought  little  on  my  journey,  except  on  reaching 
home.  My  disagreeable  companion  became  more  civil  as  our  day 
closed  in,  and  more  disposed  to  converse;  the  others  were  merely 
animal.  At  St.  Albans  I  ordered  a  chaise  to  Elstree,  and  anticipated 
every  part  of  the  well-known  road.  At  last  I  saw  the  line  of  London 
light  behind  the  Elstree  hill,  and  soon  was  at  home.  Thank  God! 
thank  God!!  After  which  Mr.  Cooper  called,  and  gave  me  to  under- 
stand that  Richard  III  would  be  again  announced  for  Monday  next — 
observing  that  he  "thought  it  quite  as  easy  as  Werner. ^^  I  called 
at  O'Hanlon's  chambers,  but  not  a  mouse  was  stirring  in  them.  We 
returned  home,  I  sleepy  and  tired ;  found  Catherine  not  very  well,  and 
my  darling  children  going  to  their  suppers.  Wrote  a  note  to  Mr. 
Forster,  and  then  sat  down  to  a  dinner  gras,  as  ordered  by  Earle. 

April  1st. — Wallace  told  us  of  Shell's  affected  manner  of  speaking, 
and  of  the  denunciations  of  his  book  (the  continuation  of  Mackintosh's 
History  with  his  memoir  and  character)  at  Holland  House — of 
Brougham's  letter  to  the  Longmans  on  the  hostile  tone  of  the  stric- 
tures, and  of  his  answer,  as  also  of  the  letters  and  notices  in  the  Globe, 
with  his  reply.  I  was  this  morning  compelled  to  do  a  violence  to  my 
feelings  in  punishing  my  beloved  Nina — it  agitated  me  very  much, 
but,  thank  God,  my  doting  affection  for  these  dear  children  does  not, 
nor  ever  shall,  make  me  guilty  of  such  injustice  to  them  as  to  spare  my 
own  feelings  at  the  expense  of  their  future,  perhaps  their  eternal 
welfare. 

April  2,nd. — Before  I  came  down  my  tenderness  was  put  to  a  severe 
trial  by  my  dear  child  repeating  the  offence  for  which  I  had  punished 
her  yesterday.  I  felt  there  was  no  alternative,  and  I  punished  her  with 
increased  severity.  It  cut  my  heart  to  look  upon  the  darling  little 
creature's  agony,  as  she  promised  to  be  good.  I  ordered  her  to  be 
put  to  bed,  and  came  downstairs  in  low  spirits.  God  bless  the  dear 
child — my  heart  dotes  on  her,  and  I  could  weep  with  her,  while  I  make 
her  suffer ;  but  I  love  her  too  well  to  bring  her  up  with  false  indulgence. 
God  grant  that  my  desire  to  make  hfer  wise  and  virtuous  may  answer 
all  my  hopes.  Amen !  I  wrote  to  Calcraft,  sending  him  the  proofs  of 
Virginius  and  Henry  IV  promised  to  him,  and  requesting  him  to 
expedite  the  opinion  on  Mr.  Bunn's  liability.  Read  the  account  of 
an  ascent  by  some  English  officers  up  the  mountain  of  Peter  Botte 
in  the  Mauritius,  an  undertaking  so  perilous,  that  it  affected  my 
stomach  in  the  perusal.     Wrote  to  Mr.  Cooper,  expressing  my  hope, 

I   2  115 


THE   DIARIES    OF   MACREADY  [1834 

that  I  should  not  be  announced  for  Richard  on  Monday  next.  Walked 
round  the  garden,  examining  the  lately  planted  trees.  Was  very  much 
pleased  with  the  behaviour  of  my  dear  little  girl,  so  good  and  amiable. 
April  2rd. — Did  not  rise  so  early  as  yesterday,  and  received  in  bed 
letters  from  Dr.  Spurgin,  accepting  Catherine's  invitation,  and  from 
Mr.  Cooper,  announcing  Sardanapalus  for  Thursday  next  with  Mrs. 
Mardyn  ^  for  Myrrha,  "  who  received  the  part  viva  voce  from  the  lips 
of  Lord  Byron."  The  nasty  motives  which  actuate  Mr.  Bunn  in  thus 
presenting  to  the  public  a  woman,  who  with  youth  and  beauty  to  arrest 
attention  was  never  able  to  retain  it,  merely  because  some  suspicion 
may  be  circulated  of  her  connexion  with  Lord  Byron,  only  confirm  the 
disgusting  character  of  the  man.  His  ignorance  of  the  drama,  his 
utter  disregard  of  its  interests  and  respectability,  his  wish  to  attract  a 
house  by  any  empirical  advertisement,  however  disgraceful,  are  so 
undeniable,  that  one  passes  by  him  and  his  actions,  as  we  would  the 
most  offensive  nuisance  which  the  negligence  of  the  police  has  over- 
looked. Finished  reading  an  article  in  the  Quarterly  Review  on 
Guizot's  edition  of  Gibbon's  Decline  and  Fall,  which  for  the  Quarterly 
seems  written  in  a  tolerably  fair  spirit.  Altered  the  arrangement  of 
my  books,  and  then  went  out  to  plant  some  flowers  in  the  garden,  and 
to  have  the  walnut  tree  moved.  Whilst  there  received  a  note  from 
O'Hanlon,  communicating  the  sad  intelligence  of  Wallace  having 
broken  his  leg  a  little  above  the  ankle  by  falling  with  or  from  his  horse 
near  Kingsbury.  After  lying  a  day  at  Hendon,  where  he  was  removed 
by  a  farmer  in  his  cart,  he  was  conveyed  to  town  by  Brydon  and 
placed  under  Davies's  care.  It  is  very  dreadful  to  contemplate  such 
an  accident  to  such  a  man ;  what  will  become  of  him !  What  is  to  be 
his  end !  We  are  all  too  prone,  perhaps,  in  the  vain  confidence  of 
our  own  superior  wisdom,  to  arraign  the  want  of  prudence  in  those 
who  are  the  victims  of  their  own  wilfulness,  but  perhaps  all  we  have 
any  right  to  do  is  to  pity  and  to  deplore.  Answered  O'Hanlon's  note. 
After  tea  read  the  three  last  acts  of  Sardanapalus,  which  would  have 
been  safe  with  Miss  Tree,  but  cannot,  I  think,  pass  with  this  quad- 
ragenarian Myrrha. 

^  A  comJdienne  with  some  talent  and  many  personal  attractions,  who  was  falsely  credited 
by  the  scandal-mongers  of  the  day  with  having  caused  the  rupture  between  Lord  and  Lady 
Byron.  In  point  of  fact,  Byron  had  only  seen  the  lady  for  a  few  minutes,  when  she  called 
upon  him  in  reference  to  a  part  for  which  she  was  anxious  to  be  cast.  On  the  occasion  men- 
tioned by  Macready,  Mr.  Bunn's  announcement  proved  abortive,  for  Mrs.  Mardyn  never 
appeared,  and  it  was  generally  supposed  that  the  manager  had  been  made  the  victim  of  a 
hoax. 

ii6 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

April  ^th. — Set  myself  to  Sardanapalus,  and  went  entirely  through 
it  with  all  that  want  of  alacrity  that  want  of  love  occasions,  and  an 
anticipation  of  the  utter  unprofitableness  of  my  labour.  At  luncheon 
I  received  a  letter  from  Forster,  enclosing  paragraphs,  which  I  knew 
were  going  the  round  of  the  papers,  and  declaiming  against  the 
profligate  and  shameless  indecency  of  this  Bunn,  and  engaging  to 
come  home  with  me  on  Monday  night ;  also  one  from  Mrs.  Fosbrooke, 
applying  for  orders  which  I  shall  not  give.  This  woman  applied  to 
me  seven  weeks  ago  in  a  state  of  destitution,  and  having  then  pro- 
cured her  an  engagement  beyond  my  hopes,  I  still  find  her  here.  She 
is  not  better  than  she  should  be !  In  my  study  I  read  the  principal 
part  of  a  new  weekly  paper  started  by  Leigh  Hunt,  which  breathes  that 
gentle  spirit  of  humanity  which  flows  from  a  kindly  heart  tempered 
and  improved  by  the  experience  of  misfortune.^ 

April  6th. — On  coming  down  I  read  the  newspapers,  and  was  very 
much  pleased  with  some  extracts  from  a  book  of  Essays  by  '*  Conversa- 
tion Sharp,"  ^  which  is  a  testimony  to  the  reputation  of  his  con- 
versational powers  beyond  all  that  mere  listeners  could  bear.  It  is  a 
valuable  book,  if  only  for  the  small  portion  of  it  that  I  have  seen. 
I  have  decided  on  giving  up  the  True  Sun,  it  is  vulgar  and  stupid, 
and  now  that  L.  Hunt  and  Forster  are  leaving  it,  there  is  little  worth 
looking  at.  Received  a  call  to  Sardanapalus  for  to-morrow.  Was 
forcibly  struck  by  the  admonition  conveyed  in  the  extracts  from 
Sharp's  book,  on  the  abuse  or  waste  of  time,  and  immediately  applied 
myself  to  Macbeth,  which  I  read  through,  but  felt  very  languid  and 
unwell,  which  deterred  me  from  going  to  church,  as  I  had  intended 
doing.  Walked  in  the  garden  with  Catherine  and  Christina,  and  in 
the  farmyard.  Amused  by  an  anecdote  of  Miss  E.  H.'s — the  Bishop 
of  St.  Asaph  commending  the  exemplary  punctuality  of  an  old  woman 
there  in  her  attendance  at  every  church  service,  it  was  such  an  excellent 
example:  "Dear,  my  lord,"  was  her  answer,  "I've  nothing  else  to 
do  " — which  might  explain  the  piety  of  many  regular  churchgoers. 

April  Ith. — Shakspeare's  birthday.  Called  on  Wallace,  whom  I 
found  much  reduced  and  suffering,  his  leg  still  unset,  and  himself  unable 
to  satisfy  me  on  any  points  respecting  his  accident  or  his  present  con- 
dition.    He  seemed  impatient,  I  thought,  and  so  much  exhausted  by 

'  This  was  somewhat  too  optimistic  a  view  of  Leigh  Hunt,  who  was  certainly  very  far  from 
being  improved  by  misfortune. 

*  Richard  Sliarp  (1759-1835),  F.S. A.,  F.R.S.,  for  many  years  in  Parh'ament  as  an 
advanced  Whig ;    a  well-known  figure  in  the  political  and  literary  circles  of  his  day. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

conversation  that  it  lessened  my  regret  to  leave  him.  Went  on  to  Ran- 
som's, and  on  my  way  met  Hastings  Robinson/  now  grown  a  large 
lump  of  a  man,  with  all  the  look  of  a  Calvinistic  preacher.  Went  on  to 
chambers,  where  I  found  a  note  from  a  Mr.  Creswell,  inquiring  the  right 
pronunciation  of  Sardanapalus,  and  asking  me  for  three  admissions — 
modest  in  a  man,  of  whom  I  know  nothing  !  Went  to  rehearse  Sardana- 
palus ;  was  detained  a  long  while  by  the  prompter ;  went  over  three  acts 
of  it.  Bunn  told  me  of  Mrs.  Mardyn's  letters,  and  said  he  began  to 
suspect  that  it  was  a  humbug  of  Dimond's.^  I  asked  him  what  he 
would  do,  if  on  rehearsal  he  found  her  unpresentable.  His  answer 
was:  *'Kick  her — and  send  her  back  again!"  So  much  for  the 
caterer  to  English  taste !  Made  some  purchases  in  Covent  Garden  for 
the  house  and  dined  at  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw  Fladgate, 
Raymond,  etc.  Forster  called  and  stayed  some  little  time  with  me. 
I  wished  him  gone.  I  wrote  him  an  order.  Palmer  came  for  my 
trunks.  I  went  to  the  theatre,  and  acted  better  than  I  could  have 
expected,  sustaining  myself  on  biscuit  and  wine ;  the  last  act  I  played 
well,  taking  my  time.  Talfourd,  Dow  and  Forster  came  to  my  room. 
Subscribed  a  pound  to  Alfred,  the  call  man,  ill  and  his  father  just 
dead.     Returned  with  Forster  in  carriage  to  Elstree. 

April  8th. — Mr.,   Mrs.  and   Miss  Haworth   came  to  dinner,  and 

O'Hanlon.     Mr.   H is  a  sportsman — "then  let  him   pass,"  etc. 

Mrs.  H was  thought  to  have  exerted  herself,  but  the  more  you 

move  an  empty  vessel,  the  more  certain  evidence  you  obtain  that  there 

is  nothing  in  it.     Miss  H seems  a  person  that  has  the  power  of 

being  agreeable.  We  passed  a  cheerful  day,  but  one  that  I  was  not 
sorry  to  see  gone,  in  the  discharge  of  this  necessary  matter  of  form 
to  our  country  neighbours. 

London,  April  9t/i. — Went  to  rehearsal,  where  I  learned  that  Mrs. 
Mardyn  had  not  arrived,  and  had  sent  a  letter  declaring  herself  to 
be  "too  ill  to  undertake  the  journey,  and  begging  Mr.  Bunn  not  to 
delay  the  performance  of  the  play  any  longer  on  her  account."  I 
was  only  confirmed  in  my  former  belief,  that  the  whole  business  was 
a  hoax.  We  began  the  rehearsal  of  the  play  without  any  Myrrha, 
Miss  E.  Tree  having  declared,  in  answer  to  Mr.  Cooper's  message, 
that  she  would  not  act  it.     Mr.   Bunn  assumed  a  dictatorial  tone, 

^  Rev.  Hastini»s  Robinson  (1792-1866),  Master  of  the  Temple  and  Honorary  Canon  of 
Rochester.  He  figures  as  Robinson  Major  in  the  Rugby  speech-bill  of  1808,  which  is 
reprodnced-in  Macready's  Reminiscences. 

2  Author  of  the  Royal  Oak  and  other  plays  ;  also  manager  of  the  Bath  and  Bristol 
theatres. 

118 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

and  after  outraging  her  feelings  by  taking  the  character  from  her, 
now  offered  a  reparation  worthy  of  himself  by  endeavouring  to  compel 
her  to  act  it  at  this  sudden  notice ;  his  observation  to  Mr.  Cooper  was 
that  "Punch  has  no  feelings."  Shakspeare  alludes  to  the  quotation 
of  Scripture  by  that  imaginary  being  whose  fabled  blackness  would 
well  typify  this  unprincipled  scoundrel,  but  who  is  deficient  in  the 
filthy  and  dastardly  vices  of  his  substantial  likeness.  Why  may  not 
Mr.  Bunn  then  gabble  the  trash  of  Johnson?  Miss  E.  Tree  at  last 
came,  induced  or  seduced  by  the  cant  of  the  high-souled  and  upright 
Bartley.  She  spoke  to  me,  and  I  recommended  her  to  stay  and 
rehearse  the  remainder  of  the  play,  which  she  concurred  in  thinking 
most  advisable.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Warren  made  their  appearance,  bring- 
ing an  apology  for  Dr.  Spurgin,  who  was  detained  by  patients.  We 
spent  a  very  cheerful  afternoon,  though  I  am  not  an  admirer  of 
Mr.  W.'s  effort  at  effect.  He  overrates  himself  and  his  powers  of 
amusing,  and  is  very  often  in  extremely  bad  taste ;  but  he  seems 
good-natured,  and  his  seeming  desire  of  showing  civility  to  me 
engages  a  reciprocal  wish  on  my  part.  I  had  the  good  sense 
to  be  carefully  abstemious,  thinking  upon  the  morrow's  demands 
upon  me. 

April  10th. — We  talked  a  little  on  Mr.  Warren's  relation  of  his 
brother's  death  the  previous  evening,  who,  dying,  observed  :  "  Sam, 
you  have  a  brilliant  career  before  you,  but  brilliant  as  it  may  be,  never 
forget  your  brother."  This  was  all  in  viauvais  godt  and  the  details 
of  his  stories  still  more  so.  I  could  not  defend  him,  but  endeavoured 
to  mitigate  the  censure  on  him.  Read  Sardanapalus  through.  Went 
to  the  theatre,  and  rehearsed  it.  Came  to  my  chambers  very  much 
fatigued,  and  ordered  a  mutton-chop  there.  After  dining  I  lay  down 
on  bed  for  an  hour.  Very  reluctantly  I  rose  to  go  to  the  theatre 
feeling  my  spirits  and  strength  much  exhausted.  The  play  began — 
and  I  acted  much  better  than  from  my  over-laboured  spirits  and 
strength  I  could  have  expected.  I  was  self-possessed,  and  often  very 
real;  the  audience  were  quite  prepared  to  applaud  whatever  could  be 
interpreted  as  deserving  notice,  and  my  spirits  rose  to  meet  their 
indulgence.  In  the  fifth  act  I  cut  a  small  artery  in  my  thumb  against 
Mr.  Cooper's  dress,  which  bedabbled  my  whole  dress  as  well  as  Mr. 
Cooper's  and  E.  Tree's,  flowing  profusely  at  times,  and  then  spurting 
out  like  a  spring  of  water.  Was  called  for  by  the  audience,  but  was 
ignorant  that  no  one  had  been  sent  on,  or  I  would  not  have  gone 
forward ;  in  the  erroneous  belief  that  Mr.  King  had  been  on,  whom  I 

119 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1884 

heard  desired  to  give  out,  I  led  Ellen  Tree  forward  amid  much 
applause. 

Elstreey  April  11th. — Took  a  chaise  to  town,  for  I  felt  quite  unequal 
to  walk  to  Edgware ;  on  the  road  went  over  Sardanapalus.  Arriving  at 
my  chambers,  which  I  did  in  very  good  time,  I  found  a  letter  without 
signature,  the  seal  was  the  head  of  Byron,  and  in  the  envelope  was  a 
folded  sheet  with  merely  the  words:  "Werner,  November  1830; 
Byron,  Ravenna,  1821 ;  and  Sardanapalus,  April  10th,  1834.'* 
Encircling  the  name  of  Byron,  etc,  was  a  lock  of  grey  hair  fastened 
by  a  gold  thread,  which  I  am  sure  was  Byron's,  and  which  I  have  no 
doubt  was  sent  to  me  by  his  sister,  Mrs.  Leigh. ^  It  surprised  and 
pleased  me.  At  one  o'clock  I  went  to  the  theatre  to  cut  the  play — 
but  who  was  to  cut  it  ?  Half  an  hour  at  least  should  have  been  taken 
from  it,  and  Mr.  Cooper,  an  incompetent  booby,  was  the  stage- 
manager,  whose  business  it  was  to  have  arranged  its  cutting.  From 
thence  I  went  to  the  Garrick  Club  to  read  the  newspapers,  which  were 
all  very  favourable  to  me,  and  to  dine — saw  Collier,  Taylor,  Bartley 
and  several  others.  I  fear  I  carried  the  effort  at  modesty,  which  the 
pride  of  success  puts  on,  upon  my  deportment,  but  it  was  against  my 
will  if  it  was  so.  On  my  way  there  Kenney  called  to  me,  congratulated 
me  on  Werner,  and  acquainted  me  with  the  circumstances  of  the 
introduction  of  my  name  at  the  Athenaeum — that  if  not  elected  this 
year  I  should  be  next,  or  if  driven  to  a  ballot  (to  which  I  would  not 
consent  to  go)  I  should  be  sure  of  success.  Came  home  very  much 
tired.  Tried  to  read  Sardanapalus.  Went  to  the  theatre  and  acted 
very  feebly — every  one  seemed  unstrung  and  languid  from  the  effects 
of  the  preceding  evening.  Mr.  Cooper  seemed  anxious  to  prevent  the 
notice  of  the  audience  in  any  effects  I  tried  to  make.  This  is  base  in 
Kean — ridiculous  in  a  man  like  Cooper. 

April  l^th. — Went  out  to  dine  at  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw  the 
papers ;  looked  again  at  the  Times  of  yesterday,  which  is,  as  usual, 
the  coldest  of  all  the  notices  on  the  play.  Came  home  very  tired,  and 
turned  over  the  leaves  of  Rowland  HilVs  Life,  when  Forster  came  in 
bringing  for  Catherine  extracts,  cut  out  by  him  from  the  papers,  on 
Sardanapalus.  He  spoke  with  asperity  on  the  Times  criticism,  which 
he  thought  most  illiberal.     When  he  had  left  me,  I  read  over  Sar- 

^  The  Hon.  Augusta  Leigh,  Byron's  half-sister,  and  the  subject  of  Mrs.  Beecher  Stowe's 
atrocious  imputations  which,  although  revived  by  the  late  Lord  Lovelace  in  Astarte,  are  now 
regarded  by  those  best  competent  to  judge  as  completely  discredited  (see  Lord  Byron  and 
His  Detractors,  by  John  Murray  and  others ;  also  The  Love  Affairs  of  Lord  Byron,  by 
Francis  Gribble,  and  the  Diaty  of  Frances  Lady  Shelley). 
120 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

danapalus,  and  went  to  the  theati-e,  having  sent  Healy  to  inquire  after 
Wallace,  who  was  going  on  pretty  well.  I  acted  with  considerable 
spirit,  and  much  more  effectively  than  last  night — still,  I  think  the 
play  will  not  be  attractive.  On  coming  home  I  read  the  Literary 
Gazette,  and  went  very  much  tired  to  bed. 

April  ISth. — Went  to  afternoon  service — was  struck  with  the  2nd 
lesson,  the  2nd  chapter  of  the  general  Epistle  of  James.  How  clergy- 
men can  read  that  chapter  from  the  pulpit  and  pay  the  homage  they 
do  to  wealth  and  power,  and  call  themselves  ministers  of  Christ's 
religion,  they  best  know ; — to  me  their  conduct  is  a  reason  for  their 
unpopularity.  Walked  round  the  garden,  which  is  always  a  pleasure 
to  me.  Played  with  my  darling  children,  while  dressing  for  dinner. 
Spent  an  idle  day — tired  and  languid  with  the  past  week.  Made  up 
my  accounts.  Read  prayers  to  the  family,  and  felt  truly  grateful  to 
God  for  his  great  and  many  blessings.  May  I  merit  them,  and  estimate 
them,  and  teach  my  dear  children  to  seek  for,  and  obtain,  and 
appreciate  similar  ones !     Amen  ! 

April  14f/i. — Acted  very  indifferently — even  I  felt  the  effort  i 
made  to  be  gay  and  animated,  and  the  consciousness  that  the  audience 
could  not  be  insensible  to  it  increased  the  weight  upon  my  spirits. 
The  house  was  indifferent,  and  though  Mr.  Cooper  gave  the  play 
another  chance  to  Wednesday,  I  felt  its  fate  is  decided.  Came  to 
chambers,  and  amused  my  idleness  and  fatigue  with  the  newspaper. 
In  the  fourth  act  I  was  at  fault  for  the  words,  which  after  some  hesita- 
tion and  substitution  I  recovered. 

April  15th. — After  dinner  in  a  note  from  O'Hanlon,  I  had  the 
pain  to  hear  that  Mr.  Davis  expressed  himself  in  the  most  melancholy 
way  upon  Wallace's  state,  and  that  he  even  entertained  doubts  of  his 
life.  This  is  very  unexpected,  and  very  sad  news  to  me.  Poor 
Wallace  has  long  since  destroyed  that  high,  that  exalted  opinion, 
which  I  once  held  of  him  ;  and  subsequently  has  done  much  to  sap 
and  shake  the  esteem  and  regard  which  I  have  wished  to  bear  him ; 
but  the  habits  of  attachment,  long  acquaintance  and  confidence  are 
not  broken  ;  as  the  root  is  plucked  from  the  earth  it  carries  some  of 
the  soil,  however  hard,  with  it.  I  hope  sincerely  and  devoutly,  for 
his  own  sake,  that  he  may  be  spared. 

April  16th. — Deferred  getting  up  to  the  last  moment,  but  rose  in 
very  good  time  for  Billings's  coach,  in  which  I  came  to  town,  employing 
myself  on  the  road  with  thinking  over  Sardanapalus.  Was  set  down 
at   Cambridge   Terrace,   and  called   on   Wallace,    whom    I   found,    I 

121 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

thought,  better ;  stayed  with  him  until  he  seemed  to  wish  me  gone. 
Was  glad  to  find  he  had  so  relished  the  rusks.  Went  on  to  Mackie's, 
bookseller,  and  spoke  about  the  shameful  binding  of  my  books.  He 
is  a  tradesman  who  would  sell  a  customer  like  myself,  ready  to  buy 
from  him,  for  a  few  shillings — a  fool !  At  the  Garrick  Club  saw 
papers — among  others  the  Age — speaking  of  *  Mr.  Reynolds's  clever 
adaptation  of  Sardanapalus,  which  I  had  merely  cut  a  little.'  There 
is  not  an  effect  of  any  import  in  the  part  that  is  not  a  restoration  or 
introduction !  I  looked  into  Crabbe's  life ;  lay  down  for  about  half  an 
hour,  and  read  part  of  Sardanapalus.  I  acted — I  know  not  how ;  I 
went  prepared  and  anxious  to  play  well,  but  I  cannot  work  myself  into 
reality  in  this  part — I  have  not  freedom  enough  to  satisfy  myself. 
Miss  Tree  and  self  nearly  singed  in  the  last  scene.  Mr.  F.  Vining 
called,  and  spoke  to  me  about  going  to  Brighton.  My  dresser  told 
me  of  Mr.  Farren's  acting  in  the  farce  to-morrow  night,  and  of  his 
intention  to  dress  in  my  room,  which  I  am  not  disposed  to  permit.  It 
is  idle,  but  I  despise  the  wretched  fellow. 

•  April  nth. — In  bed  this  morning  I  read  over  Sir  Edward 
Mortimer,^  which  I  feel  difficult,  and  do  not  think  a  natural  character, 
but  I  will  do  my  best.  I  have  no  time  to  lose.  Mr.  Fox  ^  called ;  a 
gentleman  of  peculiar  appearance,  a  good  physiognomy,  and  bland  and 
gentle  manners.  The  object  of  his  call  was  to  bespeak  my  interest  in 
the  case  of  a  fair  aspirant  to  theatrical  success.  I  was  as  courteous  and 
candid  as  I  could  be,  and  made  an  appointment  with  him  and  her  for 
Monday  morning  next.  With  an  ill  feeling  towards  that  nasty  person, 
Mr.  Farren,  yet  condemning  and  ashamed  of  myself  for  retaining  it, 
3net  not  liking  to  retract,  I  put  the  copy  of  my  engagement  in  my 
pocket,  and  resolved  on  settling  it  easily  if  I  could  by  seeing  Cooper. 
Read  Sardanapalus.  Acted  with  much  more  spirit  in  the  first  four 
acts  than  heretofore,  but  did  not  satisfy  myself  in  many  things  in 
Act  V ;  my  manner  was  too  constrained — I  wanted  reality.  Mr.  Bunn 
asked  me  if  I  would  act  Joseph  Surface  on  the  King's  command.  I 
declined ;  I  am  out  of  the  character,  and  it  is  tempting  further  solicita- 
tion to  voluntarily  commit  myself  to  it  again.  The  King  cares  for 
neither  the  play,  nor  the  actors,  nor  their  art,  and  I  see  no  reason  why 
I  should  inconvenience  myself  for  him. 

April  ISth. — Forster  called,  and  talked  much  ;  I  begin  to  see  (for 

'  In  Colman's  play  of  TAe  Iron  Chest. 

2  William  Johnson  Fox  (1786-1864),  preacher  and  journalist  ;  prominent  member  of  the 
Anti-Corn  Law  League.      M.P.  for  Oldham  1847-1863.      This  interview  inaugurated  an 
intimate  friendship  much  valued  by  Macready, 
122 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

scrutiny  of  character  is  a  part  of  life's  business,  if  done  in  a  gentle  and 
indulgent  spirit)  that  he  talks  much,  and  that  his  imagination  antici- 
pates facts.  I  do  not  say  this  derogatorily  of  him  nor  unkindly,  but 
it  is  so.  We  walked  together  to  Wallace's,  whom  I  saw.  He  seems 
ill,  but  I  am  no  judge.  He  told  me  Davis  wished  to  see  me  :  I  do 
not  think  that  looks  well,  though  he  said  that  it  was  merely  "  in  kind- 
ness." With  Forster  took  an  omnibus  down  Oxford  Street,  and  walked 
to  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  dined  :  was  introduced  by  Forster  to 
Villiers ;  saw  Mr.  Barham ;  asked  T.  Cooke  ^  to  the  Shakspeare  supper 
on  Wednesday,  and  to  dinner  on  Tuesday,  to  which  last  he  could  not 
come.  Saw  Mr.  Charles  Kean  and  shook  hands  very  cordially  with 
him,  but  I  thought  he  seemed  cold.  Came  home.  Acted  Sardanapalus 
with  more  spirit  than  on  any  previous  night.     Still  it  is  improvable. 

April  19th. — Went  to  the  theatre.  Found  a  card  from  Gillett  ( !) 
and  a  note  at  the  theatre  from  Mr.  Telbin,^  requesting  a  recommenda- 
tion. Acted  Sardanapalus  indifferently,  harassed  and  worn  down. 
Invited  Stanfield  to  dinner  on  Tuesday ;  he  accepted  the  invite.  Note 
from  Price  that  Talfourd  would  come.  Forster  called ;  he  is  in  a 
scrape — what  sort  I  know  not.  Jones  brought  me  ray  salary  X5  short, 
which  I  refused  to  take. 

April  Wth. — Disgusted  with  the  shameful  behaviour  of  Mr.  Mackie 
in  again  sending  my  books  so  very  badly  bound.  I  shall  never  buy  a 
book  from  him  again ;  but  I  will  not,  as  in  my  younger  and  sillier  days 
I  should  have  done,  tell  him  of  this  intention,  and  make  an  enemy  when 
I  can  avoid  it.  Had  I  always  shown  like  consideration  and  self- 
government,  how  much  I  should  have  profited  by  it.  Went  to  after- 
noon service,  when  young  Mr.  Phillimore  did  duty.  What  a  waste  of 
time  to  listen  to  the  utter  nothingness  of  those  congregated  words  that 
he  has  ranged  together  in  the  form  of  a  sermon.  It  is  a  mockery.  I 
must  think  of  other  and  deeper  things,  or  sleep. 

April  22nd. — Talfourd,  Price,  Stanfield,  and  Forster  arrived  to 
dinner.  We  had  a  cheerful  day — rather  more  excited  than  usual ;  our 
conversation  in  the  drawing-room  was  in  a  somewhat  livelier  and  more 
boyish  vein.     Our  guests  left  us  a  little  before  twelve. 

April  23rd. — Shakspeare's  birthday.  Looked  at  an  article  in 
Blachwood  in  defence  of  Sheil,  and  heaping  sufficient  opprobrium  on 
the  head  of  Lord  Althorp !  He  deserved  it  and  more,  in  my  mind,  for 
his  weakness  and  injustice.    Acted  Sardanapalus  in  an  indifferent  style ; 

^  Presumably  Thomas  Simpson  Cooke  ( 1782- 1848),  composer  and  vocalist. 
*  The  scene-painter. 

123 


THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1864 

felt,  while  uttering  it,  the  unreal  tones  in  which  the  dream  was 
delivered,  and  wondered  at  the  applause  which  continued  so  long  after. 
I  did  not  deserve  it.  After  the  play,  dressed  and  went  to  the  Garrick 
Club,  where  I  took  coffee,  and  was  looking  at  the  Quarterly  Review 
of  the  modern  French  drama  when  I  was  joined  by  Talfourd,  Forster, 
White  and  others.  I  found  our  private  supper,  which  was  to  have 
consisted  of  eight  or  ten,  swelled  into  a  greater  number,  and  many 
of  the  guests  strangers  to  me.  Jerdan  was  amongst  us !  and  I  thought 
(not,  I  hope,  uncharitably)  that  it  would  have  been  more  graceful  to 
have  absented  himself  from  a  festive  meeting  under  his  peculiar  circum- 
stances,^ which  he  evidently  cannot  feel  very  strongly.  Talfourd  was 
placed  in  the  chair,  and  in  the  course  of  the  evening  made  some  very 
good  speeches.  My  health  was  the  third  toast  from  the  chair — and 
toasting,  as  applied  to  me,  such  a  compliment  may  well  be  called ;  for 
I  curl  and  shrink  under  the  operation  as  much  as  if  I  imderwent 
literally  the  process  of  being  brought  to  the  stake.  Under  the  fer- 
vency of  Talfourd 's  panegyric  I  might  employ  Shakspeare's  words : 
"Beneath  this  fire  do  I  shrink  up."  I  met  Mr.  Hayward,^  to  whom 
I  was  introduced,  and  who  gave  me  his  card,  promising  to  send  me 
his  translation  of  Faust.  It  was  to  me  a  very  pleasant  evening. 
Reached  home  at  a  quarter  past  three. 

April  24t/i. — Looked  into  the  Foscari  of  Byron.  I  am  of  opinion 
that  it  is  not  dramatic — the  slow,  almost  imperceptible  progress  of  the 
action,  and  the  strain  required  from  our  belief  to  sympathize  with  the 
love  of  home  in  Jacopo  will  prevent,  I  think,  its  success  in  representa- 
tion. I  was  interested  by  the  coincidence  of  two  men's  fortunes 
depending  on  a  casualty,  to  which  they  voluntarily  submitted  the 
course  of  their  destinies.  Robert  Bruce  hung  the  determination  of  his 
future  course  upon  the  strength  of  a  spider's  web,  and  Francisco  Sforza 
threw  the  future  chances  of  his  life  with  his  mattock  upon  an  oak ; 
when  asked  to  enlist  he  said  :  "  Let  me  throw  my  mattock  upon  that 
oak;  if  it  remains  there,  I  will."  It  remained,  and  he  enlisted;  from 
a  peasant  becoming  soldier,  general,  prince. 

April  9,5th. — Read  with  much  delight,  and  not  without  emotion, 

^  Probably  of  a  financial  nature. 

•  Abraham  Hayward  (1801-1884),  the  well-known  essayist  and  catiseur ;  Q.C.,  but 
relinquished  practice  on  not  being  elected  a  Bencher  of  his  Inn  (Inner  Temple),  owing  to 
the  hostility  of  John  Arthur  Roebuck  ;  a  "political  henchman  "  to  various  statesmen  of  the 
day,  notably  to  the  Duke  of  Newcastle  and  Lord  Clarendon  ;  friend  and  adviser  of  Mrs. 
Norton.  A  talented  writer  and  accomplished  talker  of  the  "Croker"  school,  who,  though 
made  much  of  in  his  day,  has,  like  most  of  his  type,  left  little  permanent  mark. 
124 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

several  poems  by  Mrs.  Hemans :  Arabella  Stuart^  in  which  is  much 
that  is  beautiful^  particularly  her  notice  of  the  year's  progress  and  the 
unchanging  stillness  of  her  own  misery,  as  well  as  the  blessings  she 
pours  upon  her  lover.  Korner^s  Sword,  or — I  forget  the  title — his 
"death-day,"  I  think — and  Kornerh  Sister  are  both  charming.  I  did 
not  before  know  the  sad  tale  of  this  young,  gifted  enthusiast — *'he 
should  have  died  hereafter."  The  Maid  of  Scio  is  another  of  this 
extraordinary  woman's  poems  that  I  read  with  deep  interest,  and  even 
wonder  at  the  depth  of  thought  and  feeling  that  mark  all  her  writings — 
one  on  the  love  of  life,  and  the  losses  of  our  heart's  loves  that  make 
it  wax  cold  and  weak — I  forget  the  title.  Called  on  Wallace,  whom 
I  found  not  so  well.  Brodie  ^  had  seen  him,  and  spoke  to  him  most 
encouragingly.  Dr.  Lardner  was  at  home ;  we  talked  together.  I 
saw  he  was  not  satisfied  with  Wallace,  who  has  certainly  done  enough 
to  weary  out  his  patience.  He  has  already  had  in  advance  the  price  of 
another  volume  !  ^  This  I  do  not  think  he  knows — that  is,  he  will  not 
know  it.  He  spoke  to  me  about  the  £16  he  last  borrowed  from  me,  but 
I  desired  him  not  to  think  of  it — it  is  the  last.  Both  he  and  Lardner 
talked  of  that  silly  fellow  Mackintosh,  who  in  a  letter  to  the  Globe 
spoke  of  his  friend  as  "  a  man  incapable  of  anything  but  being  misled," 
etc.  Wallace  intends  to  demand  an  explanation  of  the  note.  Query  : 
is  it  worth  while  ?  Came  home  :  found  the  Faust  of  Mr.  Hayward,  sent 
by  him.  Wrote  note  to  Dow  with  Blackwood,  which  I  looked  over  for 
SheiPs  defence,  which  would  have  been  very  strong,  had  the  writer 
confined  himself  to  the  reason  of  the  case.  Calling  names  is  a  sign 
of  anger,  wishing  to  hurt  beyond  its  power  of  harm — consequently 
undignified.  Went  to  Garrick  Club,  dined,  saw  Collier,  Reynolds,  etc. 
Our  supper  seemed  to  have  pleased.  Looked  at  the  debates  on  the 
Repeal.     I  suspect  O'Hanlon  helped  Littleton  in  his  speech. 

April  26th. — I  feel,  or  fancy  so,  such  a  heavy  sensation  of  fatigue 
after  Sardanapalus  that  I  am  by  no  means  so  disposed  as  I  would  wish 
to  rise  in  the  morning.  I  particularly  feel  the  efi^ect  of  being  so  long 
upon  my  feet,  and  in  an  erect,  sometimes  almost  strained,  posture ;  my 
loins  ache  with  this.  I  cut  the  leaves  of  Faust  this  morning  and  read 
some  of  it,  but  it  is  not  to  be  read  with  common  care.  An  author 
called  with  a  version  of  Pericles,  which  I  very  courteously  persuaded 
Mm  I  could  not  assist  by  my  influence.  A  man  called,  who,  as  I 
thought,  set  his  head  at  work  with  a  palsied  motion  as  he  came  in ; 

^  Sir  Benjamin  Brodie  (i 783-1862),  first  Baronet ;  the  distinguished  surgeon. 
*  Wallace  was  contributing  to  a  Histoiy  of  England  va  Lardner's  Cyclopedia. 

I2(: 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

he  has  been  before,  and  I  relieved  him ;  I  dismissed  liira  now.  Posted 
Catherine's  letter,  and  bought  eau  de  cologne  for  Wallace.  Went  to 
Garrick  Club,  read  the  Repeal  debate,  Lambert's,  Sheil's,  PeeVs 
speeches ;  struck  by  the  unfairness  of  the  Times  report.  Dined ;  saw 
Captain  Williams,  who  told  me  of  a  rupture  between  Bunn  and  Polhill 
— too  good  to  be  true — Duruset,  etc.  Met  Procter,  wrote  him  an 
order  for  to-night.  Spoke  to  Kenneth  about  acting  all  the  summer. 
Procter  walked  with  me  nearly  to  the  Temple.  Called  on  Hayward ; 
like  him  very  much  ;  engaged  to  dine  with  him  on  Sunday  week.  Called 
on  Price  ;  he  talked  of  Forster,  of  whom  Procter  had  also  been  speaking, 

stating  that  Mrs.  P and  Forster  had  quarrelled  on  the  merits  of 

Knowles's  acting  from  the  obstinacy  of  F.'s  persisting  in  asserting  him 
to  be  a  fine  actor.  This  is  strange !  I  talked  of  Dowton's  dinner 
to  Price,  and  he  agreed  to  forward  it.  Coming  home,  found  notes 
from  Reynolds  about  Wallace,  and  Burrowes  Kelly  about  a  play  of 
his ;  also  Mason's  card.  Answered  Reynolds  and  wrote  to  Wallace, 
sending  eau  de  cologne  and  for  Mrs.  Hemans'  books.  Lay  down  very 
tired.  Acted  Sardanapalus  with  much  animation,  and  the  dream  par- 
ticularly with  a  good  deal  of  reality ;  the  audience  felt  it.  Talked  with 
Stanfield.     Dr.  Lardner  came  to  my  room. 

April  S>8th. — Called  at  Reynolds',  and  learnt  from  him  that  the 
quarrel  between  Bunn  and  Polhill  ended  in  a  partnership  between  them. 
The  enormous  folly  of  this  unfortunate  man,  Polhill,  is  scarcely 
credible.  Went  to  Garrick  Club,  dined  with  Fladgate,  Mathews,^  who 
was  annoyed  at  not  being  of  the  Shakspeare  Supper ;  I  do  not  regret 
it.  I  mentioned  to  him  Dowton's  dinner,  to  which  he  was  as  cold  as 
decency  would  let  him  be ;  it  was  premature,  etc.  He  is  a  quack,  a 
coxcomb  and  a  humbug.  It  occurred  to  me  that  I  could  gain  no 
reputation  by  acting  Sir  E.  Mortimer.  It  was  Kean's  masterpiece ;  it 
is  a  feeble  play  in  the  country,  and  could  not  serve  mje  there  nor  in 
town.  I  turned  over  many  things,  and  rested  in  the  conclusion  that 
it  behoved  me  to  make  a  vigorous  effort  and  endeavour  to  strike  a 
blow  in  Lear.  Why  should  I  not  make  the  effort?  I  have  "cause, 
and  will,  and  means,  and  might,"  and  I  will  make  the  essay,  trusting 
in  the  Power  that  has  guided  and  protected  me  for  the  result.  Received 
a  note,  very  civil,  from  Mr.   Burrowes  Kelly  about  his  play,  which  I 

^  Charles  Mathews  (1775-1835),  the  famous  comedian.  Macready  has  seldom  a  good 
word  for  him,  but  in  this  instance,  as  in  many  others,  his  dislike  was  largely  founded  on  pre- 
judice. Oxberry,  whose  biographies  are  seldom  over  complimentary,  describes  Mathews  as 
"generous  and  humane  ;  a  good  husband  ;  a  kind  father  ;  and  an  honourable  man  ;  "  while 
in  his  art  he  pronounces  him  to  be  unique. 

126 


1834]  THE  DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

in  consequence  folded  up  jor  Mr.  Cooper  to  be  transmitted  to  Bunn. 
Acted  Sardanapalus ;  not,  I  really  think,  badly,  but  I  could  not  rouse 
the  audience,  which  still  makes  me  doubt  myself ;  but  I  certainly  tried 
to  act.  Mr.  Cooper  sent  me  the  opera  box  for  Madame.  Speaking 
of  the  new  partners,  Messrs.  Bunn  and  Polhill,  he  observed,  "  One  was 
a  fool,  the  other  a  blackguard."  Considerable  tired — my  back!  my 
back ! 

April  29t/i. — Letitia  and  Miss  E.  Hughes  left  me  for  town.  Miss 

H putting  into  my  hand  a  letter  in  which  was  an  extract  from  one 

of  Blanco  White's  ^  worth  preserving.  Walked  in  garden,  and  felt 
as  a  luxury  the  beauty  and  comfort  around  me ;  my  enjoyment,  if  not 
actual  gratitude,  is  very  like  it.  Took  down  Lear,  but  was  interrupted 
by  my  precious  children ;  heard  darling  Nina  her  lesson,  and  soon  after- 
wards gave  her  and  Willie  their  dinner.  Was  so  languid  after  that 
I  could  screw  myself  up  to  nothing ;  I  was  quite  inert — painfully 
conscious  of  it,  annoyed  and  helpless  under  it.  I  wished  to  walk,  but 
had  not  the  energy.  Took  down  Rousseau's  Confessions.  What  a 
book  !  How  could  a  man  record  the  bestialities  it  contains  ?  Of  what 
benefit  to  mankind  are  such  revolting  disclosures?  How  childishly 
he  seems  to  endeavour  to  delude  himself  in  his  own  and  others'  motives ! 
What  was  he  ?  A  scoundrel  of  genius ;  was  he  more  or  less  ?  There 
is,  however — and  this  aggravates  its  offensiveness — much  in  the  book 
worth  reading.  Looked  at  Byron's  notes.  Query :  what  in  his  heart 
was  he? — Rogers — Hobhouse — was  he  very  much  better?  Thought 
on  my  own  abuse  of  time  and  sensations  of  indisposition,  the  conse- 
quence of  my  own  indiscreet  indulgence.  I  must  reform  this,  if  I  wish 
to  see  my  children  what  I  pray  to  live  to  see  them. 

April  20th. — Dow  called,  bringing  me  a  number  of  the  Sporting 
Magazine,  which  contains  a  portrait  and  notice  of  his  dog  Rapp,  and 
a  brief  memoir  of  a  man  named  Mytton,^  who  spent  an  immense  fortune 
in — I  do  not  well  know  how  to  name  it — sporting,  or  folly  of  all  sorts. 
He  told  me  of  the  Age  containing  some  comments  on  my  not  acting 
Joseph  Surface.  Oh,  how  sickening  it  is  to  be  mixed  up  with  such 
a  blackguard  as  this  Bunn  I     Lay  down,  intending  to  read,   but  the 

^  Joseph  Blanco  White  (l  775-1 841),  theological  writer  ;  successively  priest,  agnostic, 
Church  of  England  clergyman  and  Unitarian.  Author  of  a  sonnet  entitled  Ni'^/ti  and  Death, 
which  Coleridge  pronounced  to  be  the  finest  in  the  English  language. 

*  Macready  was  apparently  as  little  familiar  with  sporting  celebrities  as  are  certain  judicial 
magnates  with  the  cynosures  of  the  stage.  Poor  Jack  Mytton  hardly  deserved  to  be  snuflfed 
out  with  the  indefinite  article.  He  was  indubitably  a  great  sportsman,  whose  fame  in 
Leicestershire  is  little  less  than  Macready's  in  Drury  Lane. 

127 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

return  of  the  party  prevented  me.  I  slept  a  little.  On  reaching  the 
theatre  I  found  myself  announced  for  every  night  this  week !  Sent 
dear  Catherine  word  of  it,  which  reached  her  as  she  was  setting  off  for 
home.  Acted  Sardanapalus  is  a  passable  manner,  many  parts  of  it 
with  more  spirit  than  usual ;  but  Miss  E.  Tree  destroyed  me  in  the 
dream  by  looking  at  some  persons  in  the  boxes  instead  of  myself. 
Forster  called  at  chambers  to  ask  me  to  accompany  him  to-morrow  to 
the  Court  of  King's  Bench  to  hear  Talfourd's  speech  for  the  True  Sun's 
editors.  Looked  at  a  notice  of  Kean  in  the  New  Monthly,  and  cut 
its  leaves. 

London,  May  1st. — Forster  called  as  I  was  at  breakfast,  wishing 
me  to  accompany  him  to  hear  Talfourd's  speech.  It  was  important 
to  me  to  give  my  attention  to  Lear,  and  I  declined  a  pleasure  I  wished 
to  enjoy.  When  he  left  me,  I  began  reading  and  thinking  upon  Lear, 
which  I  am  most  anxious  to  succeed  in,  but  in  which  I  fear  no  man  can 
who  appreciates  the  character.  Saw  the  Age  newspaper,  with  its  attack 
on  me  for  not  playing  Joseph  Surface  before  the  King,  "  by  whom 
I  breathe,  who  is  the  breath  of  my  nostrils."  To  be  mixed  up  with 
a  blackguard  like  Mr.  Bunn  is  an  annoyance;  to  be  in  the  mouth  of 
a  reptile  like  Westmacott  is  annoyance ;  filth  is  an  annoyance ;  they 
are  all  one  and  the  same.  Planche  took  me  from  the  club  to  Miller's 
to  present  me  with  his  play  of  Reputation,  which  seems  to  have  much 
merit ;  saw  C.  Dance,^  on  whom  I  promised  to  call.  Looked  over 
Sardanapalus.  Went  to  the  theatre,  took  pains,  and  acted  it  well ; 
so  well,  that  I  could  think  with  indifference,  or  indeed  amusement,  on 
Messrs.  Bunn  and  Westmacott's  overflowing  loyalty  and  gratuitous 
baseness.  Was  earnest  and  impassioned.  Went  into  a  private  box 
to  see  the  farce  of  Secret  Seivice,  which  was  well  acted  generally, 
but  particularly  well  in  Farren's  character :  as  much  superior  to 
the  Minister  and  Mercer  as  reality  is  to  bad  copying.  Much  pleased 
with  it ;  what  a  pity  that  so  good  a  player  should  be  such  a 
wretched  ass ! 

May  9,nd. — Began  a  late  morning  with  a  little  of  the  sixth  book  of 
Virgil's  /Eneid,  wherein  we  find  the  purgatory  and  the  punishments  of 
the  Romish  Church.  It  is  curious  how  much  of  that  religion  is  made 
up  from  the  paganism  it  supplanted.  Hurried  out  to  my  appointment 
at  Canning's  statue  with  Fladgate  at  twelve;  met  him  there,  and 
with  him  called  on  Dr.  Ireland,  the  Dean  of  Westminster,  on  the 
subject  of  the  fees  for  Mrs.  Siddons's  monument ;  found  him  a  very 

^  Charles  Dance  (1794-1863),  playwright  and  official  of  the  Insolvent  Debtors'  Court. 
128 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

gentlemanly  and  pleasant  person ;  he  promised  to  send  me  an  account 
of  the  expense,  which  should  be  as  low  as  he  could  make  it.  On 
leaving  him,  we  went  over  Westminster  Abbey,  and  I  saw  the  sorry 
aflfair  they  have  placed  to  Kemble;  in  my  opinion  quite  good  enough, 
but  in  itself  a  wretched  thing.  What  a  contrast  to  that  living  piece 
of  marble  that  keeps  for  ever  alive  the  person  and  personal  character 
of  Horner  ^  by  Chantrey.  Roubiliac's  ^  I  now  thought  little  of ;  the 
dying  woman  is  well  done,  and  there  is  expression  in  the  man,  but 
I  quite  feel  the  unreality  of  mingling  allegory  with  fact.  Was  pre- 
vented by  fatigue  from  reading  Sardanapalus.  Acted  the  first  part 
very  well — better  than  I  have  yet  done  it,  but  I  am  tired  with  it ; 
still,  I  did  much  well,  though  I  did  not  finish  off  the  dream  so  earnestly 
and  really  as  last  night.  Mr.  Cooper  gave  me  notice  of  my  benefit,  on 
which  I  shall  see  him  to-morrow.  Price  and  Fladgate  to-day  both 
agreed  with  me  on  the  badness  of  Farren's  Bertrand  and  on  the  excel- 
lence of  his  last  night's  performance.  What  a  wretched  blockhead 
is  that  Cooper ! — to  be  an  actor !  and  to  be  a  manager ! 

May  Srd. — Some  doubts  which  rose  in  my  mind  on  the  propriety 
of  trying  Lear  were  overruled  by  the  seeming  necessity  of  making  some 
effort,  and  also  of  not  leaving  a  character,  now  not  performed  for  three 

or  four  seasons,  to  the  chance  of  an  actor  like  Mr.  V .^     This 

weighed  strongly  with  me.  Cooper  called  twice  about  my  Benefit  night, 
which,  in  consequence  of  Mr.  Bunn's  irregularity,  I  am  compelled  to 
take  on  a  diminished  notice.  What  a  very  obtuse  man  is  Mr.  Cooper ! 
the  most  impenetrable  head  I  ever  met  with.  Called  on  Reynolds,  who 
thought  Wednesday  Slst  not  objectionable,  and  wlio  approved  of  Lear 
with  Shakespeare's  text.  Saw  Frederic,  and  chatted  with  him  for  a 
few  minutes.  Went  to  the  theatre,  saw  Cooper,  and  accepted  the 
night ;  was  guilty  of  an  unpardonable  folly  in  condescending  to  prate 
to  him  of  Mr.  Young's  unworthy  behaviour  on  his  retirement.*  "  Oh  ! 
I  could  divide  myself  and  go  to  buffets  "  for  my  absurd  thoughtlessness. 
Went  to  theatre  and  acted  Sardanapalus  as  if  a  milestone  were  about 

*  Francis  Horner  (1778-1817)  ;  Whig  statesman  and  political  writer,  whose  premature 
death  cut  short  a  career  of  the  highest  promise. 

*  Louis  Fran9ois  Roubiliac  {1695-1762)  ;  of  French  origin;  settled  in  England  and 
obtained  considerable  vogue  as  a  monumental  sculptor. 

^  Presumably  VandenhoflF. 

*  This  aspersion  is  hardly  reconcilable  with  Macready's  statement  on  Young's  death, 
over  twenty  years  afterwards,  when  he  records  his  esteem  for  his  former  colleague's  "uniform 
respectability  of  conduct."  Possibly  Young's  "  unworthy  behaviour  "  consisted  in  his  making 
a  temporary  return  to  the  stage  after  pronouncing  a  "  final  farewell,"  whereby  he  would  cer- 
tainly have  incurred  Macready's  disapprobation,  having  been  one  of  his  roost  formidable  rivals. 

VOL.  I.  K  129 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

my  neck — I  could  not  divest  myself  of  the  weary  sensations  1  felt. 
Read  an  anonymous  letter  about  my  shabby  dress — well  deserved.  A 
puppy  came  into  the  green-room,  who  sat  down,  and  with  perfect 
familiarity  entered  into  conversation  with  others  in  the  room  and 
myself,  though  I  believe  known  to  none  there.  The  vulgar  coxcomb ! 
Came  home,  headache  and  fatigue.  Sat  down  to  proceed  with  Lear, 
of  which  I  marked  a  great  deal. 

May  Mh. — Lay  in  bed  to  rest,  and  at  the  same  time  to  concentrate 
my  thoughts  more  closely  upon  Lear,  which  I  read  through  with  great 
attention.  Thoughts  and  vain  imaginations  will  intrude,  but  had  I 
earlier  learnt  to  subdue  my  mind,  or  rather  my  passions,  of  how  much 
greater  length  would  the  useful  part  of  my  life  have  been,  and  how 
much  more  I  should  have  done  for  myself  and  others.  I  settled  my 
accounts,  and  set  at  once  to  work  on  the  cutting,  and  then  marking 
fairly  the  copy  of  Lear — a  task  to  which  I  assigned  about  two  hours, 
which  has  cost  me  seven  or  eight.  I  have  finished  it,  and  I  humbly 
hope  for  a  blessing  on  my  work.  Amen !  Made  it  in  a  parcel  for 
Cooper  and  sent  it  to  him.  Dressed  and  went  out  to  dine  with 
Hay  ward. 

May  5th. — I  awoke  very  early  this  morning  with  the  heat  of  the 
atmosphere,  and  my  own  excited  system ;  was  kept  awake  by  a  sort  of 
horror  that  possessed  me  on  thinking  that  "tapis  "  was  a  Latin  word, 
and  that  I  had  used  it  as  a  French  one.  It  is  ludicrous  to  remember 
how  much  I  suffered  from  this  fancy,  and  how  my  silly  pride  attempted 
to  set  me  at  ease.  I  could  not  sleep,  so  read  over  some  obsex-vations  I 
had  written  for  Catherine  on  Burke's  Sublime,  and  some  of  the  thirteenth 
book  of  the  Iliad.  To  Garrick  Club,  where  I  dined,  and  wrote  a 
hurried  letter  to  Bourne  ;  looked  at  newspapers  ;  amused  with  R.  Linley's 
dislike  of  the  "early  purly  "  reading  in  Macbeth.  Found  a  note  from 
Dow  in  chambers,  acknowledging  the  amount  of  bills,  and  reclaiming, 
to  my  great  relief,  Pollok's  Course  of  Time.  Answered  Dow,  and 
wrote  note  to  Brewster  about  Lear's  wig.     Wilkin  called,  and  told 

me  that  the  answer  to  his  mission  at  Mathews'  was  that  Mr.  M 

had  no  intention  of  disposing  of  his  pictures.  Acted  Sardanapalus 
unequally ;  my  first  scene  I  can  scarcely  ever  test,  for  Mr.  Cooper 
(risum  teneatis  ?)  is  so  very  unfair  that  he  really  neither  allows  the 
audience  nor  myself  a  chance.  I  thought  I  did  the  first  act  and  the 
dream  very  well.  Miss  E.  Tree  asked  me  to  act  Lord  Townley  ^  for 
her ;  I  gave  a  conditional  promise. 

^  In  TAf  Provoked  Husband. 
130 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Elstree,  May  6th. — Awoke  by  Healey  in  time  to  be  ready  for  the 
Crown  Prince,  but  with  no  chance  of  such  a  walk  as  I  had  contemplated 
last  night.  Thought  on  Lear  as  I  waited  for  the  coach,  and  came 
pleasantly  on  the  outside  to  Elstree,  where  I  found  the  trees  in  full  leaf, 
as  if  magic  had  been  at  work  on  our  little  domain.  My  beloved  family 
all  well.  Walked  round  the  garden  with  a  feeling  of  its  quiet  and 
comfort  that  will  not  bear  translation.  After  breakfast  resumed  my 
promenade,  and  afterwards  noted  down  some  memoranda,  and  decided 
on  Lear's  dress,  etc.  Looked  through  prints  for  a  head,  but  found 
none  affording  more  information  than  I  already  possessed.  The  day 
has  been  lovely,  and  closed  in  with  a  most  beautiful  evening,  and  this 
place  appears  to  me  almost  lovely  in  itself,  although  it  owes  its  charms 
to  the  lights  and  colours  of  universal  nature,  always  adorable,  and  to 
the  moral  atmosphere  that  breathes  about  me  here. 

LondoUy  May  'Ith. — Found  notes  from  Wallace  and  Hayward,  the 
latter  mentioning  Mrs.  Jameson's  ^  wish  to  "make  my  acquaintance  " 
and  to  see  Sardanapalus.  Went  to  the  theatre,  desperate  as  to  my 
prospect  of  getting  through  the  play,  but  by  acting  with  collectedness 
and  presence  of  mind  and  imposing  earnestness  through  the  perform- 
ance, I  made  a  much  better  Macbeth  than  I  could  have  calculated  upon. 
I  was  more  than  ordinarily  fortunate  in  the  soliloquy  upon  the  com- 
mission of  the  murder,  and  upon  the  death  of  the  queen ;  also  with 
the  murderess.  My  reception  of  the  news  of  Birnam  Wood  was  correct, 
but  my  last  scene  was  marred  by  my  antagonist.  Altogether  I  got 
through  well  enough  to  have  satisfied  myself,  and  so  well  that  I  do  not 
conceive  I  have  any  excuse  left  for  the  ill-temper  I  manifested  towards 
two  persons,  Mrs.  Sloman  and  Mr.  Cooper,  whom  I  ought  not  to  have 
noticed  except  in  a  kindly  spirit.  I  hope  to  amend  this  foolish  and 
unamiable  fault. 

May  Sth. — Anxious  to  act  Sardanapalus  well  to-night  on  account 
of  the  Birches,  but  more  particularly  for  Mrs.  Jameson,  I  took  all 
pains,  and  I  thought  was  in  a  good  vein  of  acting,  ever  combating  the 
stupid  malice  (for  I  am  sure  he  nightly  tries  to  cut  me  from  applause) 
of  that  unfair  actor,  Mr.  Cooper ;  but  as  I  did  not  move  my  audience 
to  my  own  satisfaction,  I  am  obliged  to  believe  that  I  did  not  represent 
the  character  to  theirs.  Still,  I  thought  myself  better  in  many  things 
than  I  had  yet  been. 

May  9th. — Had  some  little  conversation  with  Dowton  about  Lear^ 

^  Anna   Brownell   Jameson  (1794-1860)  ;  best  known  as  the  authoress  of  Sacred  and 
Legendary  Art. 

K  2  131 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

which  did  not  tend  to  strengthen  my  confidence.  Very  much  disgusted 
with  the  impudent  conceit  of  that  miserable  coxcomb,  Farren,  but  I 
believe  I  am  more  impatient  of  it  than  usual  from  the  success  which 
at  present  seems  to  increase  it.  I  ought  to  be  above  such  things ;  but 
we  get  angry,  and  see  its  folly  afterwards. 

May  10th. — Wrote  a  French  note  (which  tasked  my  memory)  to 
Grisi,  inquiring  her  charge  for  a  song,  and  went  to  rehearsal  of  Lear. 
Returning  to  chambers,  wrote  another  French  note  to  Paganini  on  the 
same  subject  as  to  Grisi.  Wrote  a  note  on  Benefit  matters  to  Madame 
Vestris,  who,  unluckily,  is  on  the  Continent.  Answered  others,  from 
Hayward,  Pemberton,  and  Captain  Medwin,  who  dates  South  Molton 
Street,  and  is  represented  by  his  messenger  "'  as  the  gentleman  living 
at  Mr.  Tibbs's,  Dean  Street."  He  seems  a  complete  shuffler;  his 
request  was  for  an  order  to  Sardanapalus.  Acted  Sardanapalus  pretty 
well  to  a  miserable  house — two  persons  in  the  second  gallery  at  the 
opening  I  From  the  frequent  and  almost  uninterrupted  repetition  of 
this  play,  I  feel  myself  relapsing  into  my  old  habitual  sin  of  striving 
for  effect  by  dint  of  muscular  exertion,  and  not  restraining  my  body, 
while  my  face  and  voice  alone  are  allowed  to  act.  It  is  of  the  utmost 
importance  to  be  on  ray  guard  against  this  vicious  habit.  Came  home 
under  a  beautiful  starlight  night,  which  reminded  me  of  the  sweet 
nights  I  have  travelled  in  Italy — came  home  in  an  hour  and  a  half,  and 
found  Letitia  sitting  up  for  me. 

Elstree,  May  11th. — The  morning  was  so  beautiful,  the  leaves  and 
flowers  so  fresh  and  sweet,  and  the  singing  of  the  birds  so  charming 
that  I  could  not  go  in  to  breakfast  until  I  had  walked  round  the  garden 
with  my  darling  Christina.  I  felt  the  sweetness  of  all  bounteous 
Nature,  and  my  heart  acknowledged,  and  acknowledges  the  many 
blessings  which  in  this  life  my  Gracious  God  has  heaped  upon  me. 
My  children  are  looking  rich  in  health,  and  growing  good  little  crea- 
tures. Ought  I  not  to  be  grateful  ?  Looked  over  the  newspaper,  and 
settled  my  accounts ;  then  turned  my  thoughts  to  Lear,  but  did  not  give 
the  practice  to  it  which  I  had  intended ;  thought  over  and  looked  over 
much  of  it,  but  desultorily,  and  testing  few  of  my  thoughts  by 
experiment,  for  which  I  must  blame  myself;  but  this  place,  with  all 
its  endearments  of  wife,  and  children,  and  animate  beauty  is  my 
Capua.  I  cannot  labour  well  in  it  until  familiarized  with  its  enchant- 
ments. It  has  never  looked  so  sweetly  to  my  eyes,  and  both  Catherine 
and  Letitia  think  it  delightful.  To-day  it  has  proved  too  much  so 
for  me,  winning  me  from  severe  labour,  to  which  I  am  bound,  and 
132 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

lapping  me  in  enjoyment.  Was  again  with  my  children  in  the  garden, 
and  then  retired  to  the  drawing-room  to  think  over  Lear,  but  made 
little  progress  with  it,  and  am  obliged  to  condemn  in  strong  terms 
the  surrender  of  so  much  valuable  time  to  such  dear  indulgence.  Read 
a  very  touching  extract  of  a  story  from  the  Examiner,  and  made  up 
some  arrears.  Read  prayers  to  the  family.  Let  me  hope  that  by 
my  future  diligence  I  may  repair  the  fault  of  this  day's  indolence, 
and  make  out  a  better  title  by  my  conduct  to  the  blessings  I  enjoy 
than  I  can  now  pretend  to.  Amen  !  The  blessing  of  God  I  pray  for 
on  me  and  mine !     Amen  !     Amen  ! 

London,  May  19,th. — Came  to  town  by  Billings,  and  was  luckily 
enabled  by  what  I  conceived  a  supercilious  glance  of  one  of  my  fellow 
travellers  to  give  the  whole  of  the  journey  to  rumination  upon  Lear. 
Called  on  Wallace,  whom  I  found  with  his  work  before  him,  and 
extremely  cheerful ;  saw  Dr.  Ijardner,  who  appears  in  unusually  good 
health  and  spirits.  Rehearsed  King  Henry  IV  and  saw  the  play-bill 
with  the  lithographed  plan  of  the  orchestra  and  the  assurance  that 
^*  there  would  be  no  advance  of  prices.^^  How  long  is  this  fellow  to 
parade  his  Warren  and  Dr.  Eady  stuff  before  the  public !  Saw  him 
on  the  subject  of  my  Benefit,  and  now  the  knave  refuses  the  written 
conditions  of  my  engagement !  The  dancers  at  Covent  Garden,  all  of 
whom  I  can  claim  by  my  agreement,  he  refuses ! — but  it  is  useless 
to  speak  or  think  of  such  a  published  cheat.  I  trust  to  see  his  disgrace 
— if  such  a  wretch  can  be  more  disgraced  than  by  being  what  he  is. 
Met  Dow,  and  was  strongly  dissuaded  by  him  from  giving  up  my  night, 
and  recommended,  as  he  said  it  was  impossible  two  opinions  could 
exist  on  my  engagement,  to  send  Mr.  Bunn  legal  notice  of  my  claims. 
I  wrote  the  letters  to  him  and  Cooper,  also  to  Paganini,  and  to 
Catherine ;  informed  her  that  I  could  not  come  home  to-morrow. 
Looked  at  the  box  sheet  of  my  Benefit  and  saw  Talfourd's,  Forster*s 
and  Davis's  name  down !  no  more !  !  Sheil  called  and  sat  a  short 
time,  asked  me  to  dine  on  Sunday,  but  I  declined  on  account  of  Lear. 
He  told  me  of  his  making  a  fool  of  himself  in  his  last  speech.  Wrote 
to  Braham. 

May  IMh. — Sent  back  the  volume  of  Shlrlrji  to  Mr.  Mackie,  and 
despatched  Hoaley  to  Mr.  Braham  to  purchase  his  unprofitable  though 
indispensable  aid  for  my  night.  Received  an  acquiescing  note  on  his 
'*  usual  terms  "  from  Braham.  This  was  too  bad — an  attempt  to  get 
5  guineas  more  from  me  than  Bunn  gives  him.  At  the  theatre,  how- 
ever,  he  consented  to  the  20 — enough.     Wrote  to  Paganini  for  an 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1884 

answer,  which  X  received,  to  the  effect  that  he  had  a  concert  on  the 
23rd  which  would  prevent  him  engaging  with  me.  The  note  was 
written  by  Mr.  Watson.  At  the  Garrick  Club  dined  and  heard  them 
talking  of  the  last  night's  dinner,  which  seemed  to  sit  heavy  on  the 
souls  of  the  diners,  for  they  seemed  miserably  dull.  Put  down  my 
name  to  Pierce  Mahoney's  proposed  election.  Dow  called,  and 
seemed  so  anxious  about  Grisi,  that  I  began  a  note  to  Laporte,  but 
on  looking  at  hers  found  she  could  only  come  between  half-past  7 
and  three-quarters  past  8 — Avhich  if  she  brought  me  X500  I  would 
not  accept. 

May  14ith. — Went  to  the  theatre  about  my  dress  and  then  walked 
up  to  Wallace's.  I  found  him  in  excellent  spirits,  and  Dr.  I^ardner 
well.  Wallace  quite  approved  of  my  passing  Bunn's  behaviour  with- 
out notice.  But  what  a  scandal,  that  the  accursed  law  of  this  country 
only  allows  me  to  eat  my  bread  and  to  provide  it  for  my  children 
through  connection  with  this  wretch !  My  temper  yields  in  spite  of 
my  judgment.  Miserable  as  my  profession  is,  its  wretchedness  is 
aggravated  by  the  persons  allowed  to  degrade  it.  Felt  unsettled  in 
my  part  of  to-night — read  it,  and  went  over  it,  but  the  mind  was 
not  there.  I  had  neglected  it ;  an  act  of  folly  with  the  lightest  as 
with  the  heaviest  character.  I  ought  to  have  acted  Henry  IV  very 
well ;  it  is  short,  easy,  and  the  public  prepared  to  expect  something 
from  me  in  it.  I  acted  it  very  hadly :  I  should  say,  the  worst  part 
I  have  played  in  London  this  season.  An  utter  want  of  reality  and 
truth — in  fact  very  bad.  Went  with  the  orchestra  to  hear  Grisi, 
Tamburini,  Rubini  and  Ivanhoff  singing  in  coats  and  waistcoats ;  and 
the  band  similarly  clad,  only  with  bits  of  cloth  round  their  necks  to 
distinguish  them,  playing  before  Henry  V,  li})elled  in  his  representa- 
tive, Mr.  Cooper — oh !  Coming  out  I  was  told  that  Mr.  Bunn  had 
said  the  dancers  could  only  dance  between  the  acts  of  my  play — this 
was  quite  intelligible — Mr.  Bunn  knew  I  could  not  have  them  there 
— and  this  is  my  engagement !  Is  it  easy  to  be  patient  or  temperate 
with  a  destiny  that  links  one  to  such  ? 

May  ISth. — Vexed  and  dispirited ;  not  yet  subdued  to  the  reason 
of  my  predicament ;  chafed  and  depressed  by  angry  and  desponding 
thoughts,  which  only  consume  at  once  the  time,  the  energies,  and 
heart  of  him  who  submits  himself  to  them.  If  the  mind  were  as 
earnest  in  revolving  the  proper  subjects  of  our  study  and  pursuit  as 
it  is  in  the  indulgence  of  its  own  sad  or  splenetic  fancies,  how  secure 
we  should  be  of  success  in  our  undertakings  and  how  healthful  a  state 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

of  body  and  mind  would  be  likely  to  result  from  such  a  cheerful 
exercise.  I  dismiss  Mr.  Bunn  to  his  deserts  or  destiny.  For  my  own 
part  I  will  do  my  best  for  my  family — (oh,  how  truly  has  Bacon  said 
that  a  married  man  gives  hostages  to  fortune) — and  trust  in  God  for 
the  event.  Almost  directly  after  writing  this,  while  talking  with  a 
servant,  Catherine  and  the  children  came  in — the  darlings !  My  play- 
bills were  brought,  too,  and  I  was  in  a  very  equable  state  of  mind, 
prepared  to  take  the  worst  of  the  Benefit  with  complacency.  Forster 
called,  whom  I  soon  took  away ;  called  at  the  theatre  to  leave  my 
tickets  at  the  box  office;  returning,  met  Mr.  H.  Phillips,^  Avho  in- 
formed me  he  could  not  play  on  my  night,  being  engaged  at  the 
Ancient  Concerts.  This  drove  me  into  a  corner,  for  Braham  would 
be  worse  than  useless  without  him.  Quoi  faire  ?  Went  to  Garrick 
Club  and  read  the  newspapers  high  in  praise  of  my  last  night's  per- 
formance, which  was  not  what  it  should  have  been.  The  Times  was, 
as  usual,  insidious  and  malignant  under  a  seemingly  candid  and  liberal 
admission.  I  am  not  mistaken  in  that  paper — it  is  my  enemy.  Went 
to  Drury  Lane  where  I  saw  Bunn,  and  very  temperately  pointed  out 
the  utter  variance  of  the  circumstances  of  my  night  with  the  terms 
of  the  engagement ;  he  cannot  speak  like  a  gentleman,  and  was  inclining 
to  talk  rudely  and  wide  from  the  point,  which  I  gave  him  to  under- 
stand could  not  avail  at  all,  and  abruptly  left  him.  At  chambers  I 
drew  out  a  sketch  of  notice  to  serve  on  him,  and  drove  up  to  Wallace 
with  it.  Our  mutual  view  of  the  case  left  me  only  the  choice  of 
taking  the  night  with  all  its  drawbacks,  or  declining  it.  Decided  on 
the  latter  and  left  Wallace,  taking  an  omnibus  to  chambers ;  found 
Dow  and  the  children  'with  Catherine.  Dow  was  sadly  averse  to  my 
relinquishment  of  the  night,  but  I  thought  it  the  best  course.  Wrote 
notice  to  Bunn,  sending  it  through  Cooper ;  wrote  note  to  Braham  and 
advertisements  for  newspapers.  Note  from  the  Dean  of  Westminster 
respecting  Mrs.  Siddons's  bust. 

May  16th. — Began  the  day  with  serious  and  sad  reflections  on  the 
small  account  of  money  I  had  realized,  and  the  unpromising  condition 
of  the  profession  ;  my  own  experience  of  the  painfulness  of  struggling 
without  assistance  through  life  makes  me  nervously  anxious  to  afford 
my  dear  children  some  little  support  in  their  journey  through  life, 
which  I  wish  to  be  an  active  and  industrious  one.  I  must  put  a  pad- 
lock on  my  pttrse,  and  relinquish  all  right  to  spend  my  money. 
Dismissed  a  petition  from  a  swindler,  whom  I  had  subscribed  to  before, 
^  Henry  Phillips  (1801-1876),  well  known  as  a  bass  singer. 

^3S 


THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY  [1834 

of  the  name  of  Lacy.  Went  to  the  rehearsal  of  Lear,  which  I  feel 
myself  capable  of  acting,  if  I  used — perhaps  I  ought  to  say — had  used 
the  necessary  diligence ;  I  almost  fear  there  is  not  time  left  to  mellow 
myself  in  my  own  conceptions.  Rehearsed  three  acts  of  the  play. 
Mr.  Cooper  came  to  me  from  Mr.  Bunn  to  express  his  regret  ( !)  at 
my  resigning  my  night,  and  his  readiness  to  do  everything  in  his  power 
to  meet  my  views,  if  I  would  take  it !  I  declined,  observing,  "  If 
Mr.  Bunn  had  used  this  language  yesterday,  I  should  not  have  thought 
of  taking  such  a  step,  but  that  his  behaviour  drove  me  to  the  alterna- 
tive." Mr.  Cooper  was  anxious  that  the  night  should  be  taken,  or 
another  in  its  place ;  I  said  distinctly  I  would  run  no  farther  risk ; 
content  to  pay  what  I  had  incurred,  I  would  not  engage  myself  for 
one  farthing  more ;  if  Mr.  Bunn  thought  my  name  of  any  value,  he 
might  put  it  up,  and  take  the  full  charges,  ,£210,  if  in  the  theatre ; 
if  not,  the  amount  whatever  it  might  be,  but  that  I  was  not  liable  for 
one  shilling.  If  there  should  be  a  surplus,  beyond  the  .£210,  it  should 
be  paid  to  me ;  adding,  unless  you  think  this  a  very  liberal  and  gentle- 
manly offer,  you  are  not  at  liberty  to  make  it.  He  did,  and  hurried 
away  with  it,  so  that  my  name  goes  up  for  this  day  week.  I  did  not 
act  well,  and  should  have  been  better  pleased  and  more  convinced, 
had  my  good-natured  friend's,  Forster's,  praise  been  more  moderate. 
I  could  not  yield  him  credit  for  his  sincerity  in  his  extravagant  delight. 
I  felt  it  as  a  reproach  to  me.  I  have  seldom  acted  Henry  IV  worse. 
Satisfied  by  this  additional  experience  that  a  man  is  a  fool  who  yields 
to  passion. 

Elstree,  May  llth. — Rose  at  an  early  hour,  and  learnt  at  the  coach 
office  that  the  Crown  Prince  was  full,  but  that  I  had  better  wait  for  a 
chance,  which  I  did.  A  chance  presented  itself  in  the  seat  of  a  person 
to  be  taken  up  at  St.  Albans.  After  passing  half  an  hour  in  the 
coach,  during  which  I  read  the  paper,  I  was  dislodged  to  make  room 
for  longer  passengers.  Took  a  cab,  and  came  in  tolerable  time  to  the 
8  mile  stone,  where  I  dismissed  my  vehicle ;  the  fellow  demanded  back 
fare,  which  I  would  not  give;  he  was  inclined  to  be  insolent,  which 
I  would  not  submit  to,  and  believing  that  he  had  no  claim  for  back- 
fare  I  refused  to  pay  it ;  I  find  on  examining  the  regulations  that  I 
was  wrong.  Walked  to  Elstree,  meeting  a  wretched  old  dumb  beggar, 
and  an  Irishwoman,  of  course,  pregnant.  Found  my  dear  children  in 
good  health,  but  dearest  Catherine  not  so  well.  After  breakfast 
walked  round  the  garden,  and  was  delighted  to  see  everything  so 
flourishing.  On  coming  in  I  found  myself  so  heavy  and  worn  down  with 
136 


WILLIAM    CHARLES    MACREADY 
AS    RICHAKD    III 

from  thf  painting  b>/  De   Wilde,  in  the  roUection  of  K.   Y.  Loxonf,  Ks<i. 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

sleep,  that  the  book  of  Lear  was  useless  before  me ;  I  fell  asleep,  and 
remained  inactive  for  some  time.  On  recovering  myself  I  began  to 
think  of,  and  read  over  Lear.  I  fear  I  have  little  chance  of  executing 
my  conceptions.  Dined  at  luncheon  hour  in  order  to  accommodate 
the  servants,  and  thereby  still  more  cut  up  my  day ;  but  application 
is  so  difficult  here,  especially  with  a  guest  in  the  house,  that  I  may 
almost  declare  it  impossible.  Was  in  the  garden  again  in  the  after- 
noon with  dear  Catherine,  and  at  tea  read  the  abridgment  with 
extracts  from  Mrs.  Gore's  ^  novel  of  The  Hamiltons,  which  has  great 
merit,  also  extracts  from  one  called  Trevelyan.  After  tea  I  returned 
to  Lear,  giving  my  attention  particularly  to  the  last  scene,  which  I  find 
much  more  difficult  than  I  had  supposed.  I  ought  not  to  know  home 
while  such  a  work  is  on  my  mind — I  shall  not  succeed  in  it ! 

May  18th. — Before  coming  downstairs  I  received  a  letter  from 
Mr.  Cooper,  requiring  me  to  act  Richard  III  at  Covent  Garden 
Theatre  on  Monday  week ;  I  am  quite  disposed  to  put  up  with  an 
inconvenience  for  the  sake  of  quietly  terminating  this  engagement,  and 
think  I  will  do  it — though  it  is  both  a  sacrifice  and  a  serious  incon- 
venience. Had  some  doubtings  on  the  point,  but  I  will  do  it,  because 
in  doing  it,  I  have  done  with  Mr.  Bunn  as  far  as  his  power  of  annoying 
me  goes.  Walked  out  in  the  garden  with  my  sweet  children — regu- 
lated my  accounts,  and  began  the  practice  of  Lear ;  gained  some 
confidence  in  it  by  studying  before  Catherine ;  went  through  the  two 
first  acts — and  thought  of  it  onwards.  Went  to  afternoon  church  with 
Letitia  and  Miss  E.  Hughes — read  in  Greek  Testament  19th  chapter 
of  Acts,  and  14th  of  St.  I^uke  on  that  beautiful  principle  of  our 
religion,  self-humiliation.  After  dinner  walked  round  the  garden, 
while  "  the  clear  cold  eve  "  was  declining.  Read  prayers  to  the  family, 
and  afterwards  read  over  the  latter  part  of  I^ear,  which  requires  both 
more  practice  and  thought  than  I  shall  have  time  to  give.  I  must  hus- 
band what  is  left  to  me,  and  trust  to  the  Goodness  which  has  hitherto 
befriended  me  to  strengthen  and  assist  me  in  this  important  trial. 

London,  May  19th. — Took  leave  of  my  dear  wife  and  children  at 
the  gate  and  watched  them  looking  after  me.  Saw  Mr.  PhilHmore 
at  the  coach,  and  had  some  short  converse  with  him,  in  which  I  heard 
of  the  reconciliation   of  Brougham  and  Sugden,^  Brougham   making 

'  Catherine  Grace  Frnncc?  Gore  (1799-1861),  novelist,  dramatist,  and  musical  comnoser. 

*  Edward  Bnrtenshaw  Rugden  (1781-1875),  son  of  a  London  hairdresser;  twice  Irish 
Lo'  d  Chancellor  and  eventually  Lord  Chancellor  of  England.  A  grent  real  property  lawyer, 
and  consequently  indignant  at  Brougham's  promotion  to  the  Chancoliorship,  which  in  those 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

the  advance,  because  it  is  thought  Sugden  must  be  brought  in !  Came 
to  town  outside  Billings's  coach,  and  tried  to  keep  Lear  in  my  mind. 
Called  on  Wallace,  whom  I  found  much  better,  and  highly  satisfied 
with  the  result  of  my  notice  to  Mr.  Bunn.  Saw  Dr.  Lardner,  who 
informed  me  of  Campbell's  gaucherie  and  McKinnon's  poltronnerie 
in  the  affair  of  the  Clarence  Club.  Took  a  cab  to  the  theatre  and 
rehearsed  Lear,  also  tried  my  dress.  At  Garrick  Club  read  news- 
papers and  dined.  Miss  Phillips  informed  me  that  she  had  engaged  to 
go  to  America,  which  I  was  sorry  to  hear ;  her  good  conduct  and  lady- 
like deportment  will  cause  her  to  be  missed  in  a  green-room  where  she 
leaves  so  little  like  herself.  I  promised  her  letters  to  the  States  and 
will  do  all  I  can  for  her.  Went  to  theatre,  did  not  satisfy  myself  by 
my  acting  Henry  IV,  nor  can  I  give  my  mind  to  it,  until  I  have  decided 
the  fate  of  myself  in  Lear.  My  mind  has  room  for  nothing  else.  Gave 
Cooper  Mr.  H.  Phillips's  (the  ill-bred  coxcomb !)  note,  and  inquired 
after  Mr.  Kelly's  play,  about  which  he  is  to  ask.  Talfourd  came  into 
my  room,  and  sat  a  short  time.  I  told  him  I  had  tried,  but  vainly, 
to  purchase  Mathews'  picture.  Dow  called,  and  walked  home  with 
me,  taking  tea ;  when  he  had  left  me,  I  gave  my  attention  to  the  last 
scenes  of  Lear. 

May  9.0th. — Before  rising  thought  over  the  madness  of  Lear,  which 
now  begins  to  obtain  something  resembling  that  possession  of  my  mind 
which  is  necessary  to  success  in  whatever  we  desire  to  reach  excellence. 
Messrs.  Twinings,  the  most  gentlemanly  merchants  in  London,  sent  to 
me  for  tickets,  as  did  Mr.  Gass,  receiving  the  order  for  the  alteration 
of  the  zone  for  I^ar.  In  looking  over  a  book  observed  the  narration 
of  a  circumstance  that  is  only  credible  from  our  experience  of  the 
folly  and  ignorance  of  human  nature.  A  woman  in  the  boxes  of  a 
theatre  or  concert-room,  exclaimed,  "One  God,  one  Farinelli !  " 
Would  not  a  mad-house  have  been  a  light  punishment  for  such  an 
idiot?  After  tea,  took  up  Lear,  which  I  read  through,  and  very  much 
fear  my  success  in  it,  the  nearer  I  approach  to  the  trial. 

May  21st. — Mr.  Brewster  came  to  cut  my  hair,  and  to  arrange  my 
Lear's  coiffure :  he  also  asked  me  for  tickets.     Mr.  Warren  called  on 


days  involved  the  functions  of  principal  equity  jud";e,  ff)r  which  Proupham  was  notoriously 
unfit.  Sugden  was  leader  in  Brougham's  court,  and  oi>enly  displiyed  his  contempt  for  him. 
Though  more  fortunate  than  Brougham,  who  was  destined  in  a  few  months'  time  to  leave  the 
Woolsack  never  to  return  to  it,  Sugden  was  forced  to  content  himself  until  1852  with  an 
occasional  tenure  of  the  Irish  Chancellorship.  In  that  year,  when  past  seventy,  he  at  last 
obtained  the  Great  Seal,  but  he  had  to  relinquish  it  in  less  than  a  twelvemonth,  owing  to  the 
fall  of  Lord  Derby's  Government,  and  never  held  office  again. 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

the  latter  part  of  his  errand,  and  sat  with  me  while  I  despatched  my 
breakfast.  In  the  course  of  my  conversation  with  Mr.  Warren,  I 
was  much  struck  with  his  indiscreet  divulging  of  things  which  one 
ought  to  weigh  well  over  before  confiding  to  a  friend.  When  not 
called  on  in  our  own  justification  to  disclose  such  things,  respect  for 
others  and  for  ourselves  should  make  us  endure  the  burthen  of  the 
secret.  He  told  me  that  he  had  an  interview  with  Lord  Lyndhurst  on 
Sunday,  who  I  scarcely  think  would  lay  much  upon  him,  however 
he  might  lay  on  Lord  Brougham.  He  mentioned  that  he  had  spoken 
of  me  to  Lyndhurst,^  who  observed  I  was  a  man  of  genius.  W^hy 
mention  me? — and  why  mention  it  to  me?  A  sad  want  of  tact. 
Rehearsed  Lear  very  unsatisfactorily — several  important  persons  not 
being  there,  and  I  at  intervals  tormented  with  a  toothache.  Went 
to  the  theatre,  and  acted  Henry  IV  very  indifferently  indeed  :  the  truth 
is  I  can  give  my  mind  to  nothing  until  the  fate  of  this  Lear,  which 
indeed  is  my  fate,  be  decided.  I  have  not  satisfied  myself  any  night 
in  the  part,  and,  least  of  all,  this  evening.  It  may  be  some  extenuation 
that  during  part  of  it  the  couch  I  lay  on  was  one  of  torture  from  a 
racking  toothache,  but  this  is  not  an  excuse.  Finished  the  article  in 
Foreign  Monthly  upon  Turkey  and  Egypt,  which  is  able  and  interest- 
ing. Received  a  pamphlet  from  Mr.  Warren,  the  purpose  of  which  I 
do  not  clearly  see.  A  paroxysm  of  pain  with  this  treacherous  tooth 
— an  old  ally  turned  corrupt  and  traitorous. 

May  29,nd. — An  invitation,  which  is  very  complimentarily  worded, 
but  which  I  do  not  quite  understand,  from  the  Literary  Fund  Society. 
Was  in  considerable  perplexity  what  course  to  pursue  in  regard  to  the 
newspapers ;  decided  at  length  on  sending  ticTiCts  to  the  morning  and 
evening  ones.  Wrote  notes  with  orders  to  Pem])erton  and  Leigh  Hunt, 
enclosed  to  Forster.  Went  to  the  Garrick  Club,  where  in  the  news- 
papers I  read  the  account  of  Lafayette's  death.  I  feel  this  dropping 
off  of  those  who  knew  and  regarded  me ;  the  good  of  my  acquaintance 
are  fast  diminishing  :  he  was  a  good,  not  what  is  usually  admitted  to  be 
a  great   man — or   perhaps  to  speak   of  him   truly,   great  only  in   his 

'  It  was  at  Lord  Lyndhurst's  that  Warren  once  exposed  himself  to  the  quaint  sarcasm  of 
Charles  Lamb.  They  met  there  at  a  breakfast-party,  and  Warren  rashly  ventured  on  telling 
some  anecdote  in  French,  a  language  of  which  he  knew  very  little  ;  consequently  the  anecdote 
fell  flat.  Thereupon,  by  way  of  covering  his  discomfiture,  he  turned  to  I^mb  with  the 
characteristic  remark  :  "  Not  that  I  know  much  French — for  a  gentleman y  To  which  Lamb 
rejoined  with  a  stutter  :  "  Nor  I — for  a  bl-  H-  blafks^uard."  Not  the  least  amusing  part  of 
the  incident  was  Warren's  inability  to  perceive  the  rebuke.  He  used  to  quote  the  retort  as 
an  instance  of  Lamb's  occasional  commonplaceness. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1884 

goodness.  My  dress  for  Lear  not  nearly  ready,  and  what  done,  done 
very  badly.  I  was  too  much  concerned  and  distressed  to  be  in  a 
passion ;  if  we  allow  the  importance  of  the  occasion  to  measure  out 
our  quantity  of  wrath,  we  should  lose  very  soon  all  self-commend.  I 
did  bridle  myself,  though  I  was  made  very  nervous  by  this  worthless 
fellow's  conduct ;  it  is  not  easy.  Received  a  very  comfortable  letter 
from  dearest  Catherine,  and  read  over  with  attention  the  whole  of 
Lear.  I  have  now  only  to  keep  myself  collected,  exert  myself  to  the 
utmost,  and  put  my  hope  and  confidence  in  God  to  prosper  my  desires 
of  providing  for,  and  well  educating  my  dear  children.  May  it  be  so  I 
Amen !  ' 

May  2Srd. — Benefit.  King  Lear — first  time — and  Lord  of  the 
Manor.  Rose  in  good  time,  with  the  impression  that  the  day  was  one 
of  serious  results  to  me.  Sent  tickets  to  the  Literary  Gazette, 
Athenseum  and  Sunday  Times.  I  justified  myself  in  my  experiment  in 
the  reflection  that  otherwise  I  should  leave  unbroken  ground  to  an 
adventurer  who  might  work  it  to  my  disadvantage.  Rehearsed — I 
should  say — exceedingly  well,  giving  great  promise  for  the  night. 
Miss  Kenneth's  wish  to  see  the  play,  and  Cooper's  confidence  in  its 
going  well  were  all  the  indications  of  approval  I  could  pick  out  from 
the  company.  Arranged  my  dresses,  and  kept  a  strong  check  upon 
myself,  not  permitting  anything  like  an  ebullition  of  discontent  or 
violence.  Returned  to  my  chambers,  settled  all  that  was  necessary  for 
the  night,  dined,  and  went  to  bed  at  ten  minutes  past  two,  giving 
orders  not  to  be  disturbed — I  could  not  sleep  for  the  state  of  my  mind 
and  the  heat — I  thought  over  some  of  the  play.  Went  to  the  theatre — 
dressed — became  excessively  nervous — took  wine — went  on  the  stage — 
as  nervous  as  the  first  night  I  acted  in  London,  without  the  overbearing 
ardour  that  could  free  me  from  the  thraldom  of  my  fears.  My 
performance  in  the  two  first  acts  was  so  unlike  my  rehearsal,  that, 
although  I  goaded  myself  to  resistance  by  suggestions  of  my  own 
reputation,  of  my  wife  and  children's  claims  upon  me — still  I  sunk 
under  the  idea  that  it  was  a  failure.  In  the  third  act,  the  audience 
struck  me  as  being  interested  and  attentive,  and  in  the  fourth  and  fifth 
they  broke  out  into  loud  applauses ;  the  last  scene  went  tamely,  but 
I  was  called  for  by  my  friends,  and  went  on — was  much  applauded,  and 
said  that  "gratified  as  I  was  by  their  approbation,  I  hoped  when 
relieved  from  the  nervousness  of  a  first  appearance  to  offer  them  a 
representation  more  worthy  their  applause."  Dow,  Talfourd  and  his 
little  boy,  Bourne  and  Forster  came  into  my  room — they  were  all  much 
140 


1834]  THE   DIARIES    OF   MACREADY 

pleased.  Cooper  came  afterwards  and  told  me  the  play  was  to  be 
repeated  on  Monday  at  Covent  Garden.  I  told  him  to  say  to  Bimn 
that  I  was  gratified  with  this  act  of  justice,  for  had  I  failed ,  it  ought 
to  have  been  repeated.  Came  to  chambers,  and  lay  upon  the  sofa  to 
collect  and  ascertain  my  tmnultuous,  mingled,  and  quickly-passing 
thoughts.  I  felt  the  excitement  of  wine,  and  of  what  seems  success, 
but  I  must  wait  until  to-morrow  to  know  with  certainty  the  impression 
I  have  produced.  This  is  the  last  of  the  great  characters  of  Shak- 
speare  that  I  have  left  unattempted,  and  the  tone  which  the  Press 
takes  up  on  it  will  materially  influence  my  after  life.  I  can  put  no 
reliance  on  the  partial  feelings  of  friends.  I  do  not  feel  that  I  have 
yet  succeeded,  but  it  is  consoling  to  me  to  beheve  that  I  have  not 
failed.  Persons  think  that  we  carry  the  applauses  of  the  audience  to 
our  pillows,  and  that  the  sound  still  rings  as  a  deUghtful  lullaby  in  our 
ears.  I  have  no  such  pleasure;  I  wish  the  night  past,  that  I  may 
make  up  my  mind  to  the  impression  diffused  through  the  public  mind. 
My  old  friend,  the  Times,  will  not  forget  me,  but  either  treat  me  with 
contempt,  or  damn  with  faint  praise,  and  I  wish  to  know  the  worst 
that  he  may  choose  to  say.  I  must  admit  that  there  is  an  immense  deal 
to  except  at  in  the  performance,  but  there  is  a  spirit  of  persecution 
as  well  as  of  taste  and  sensibility.     Attendez;  nous  verrons. 

May  24t/i. — The  worst  is  known,  and  varies  little  from  my  expecta- 
tions. The  Times  does  ''damn  with  faint  praise,"  but  the  Herald 
writes  in  a  tone  of  gentlemanly  liberality,  and  the  Post  is  not  less 
courteous.  I  could  not  sleep ;  at  half-past  three  I  was  wide  awake,  and 
at  a  quarter-past  four  I  read  Lear  through  and  then  got  up  to  bring 
the  Foreign  Quarterly  into  bed.  I  looked  through  an  article  on  home 
colonization,  and  then  slept  till  nearly  eight.  Sent  for  the  newspapers, 
and  read  them  with  extreme  anxiety.  Is  the  Times  justified  in  the 
partial  view  it  takes  of  the  characters  which  Mr.  Kean  had  acted?  I 
wish  I  could  think  the  writer  less  base  than  I  believe  him.  Lardner 
was  very  warm  about  the  play  and  wondering  at  the  Times.  Before 
leaving  chambers,  I  sent  for  a  cab  to  take  me  to  Elstree  this  evening ; 
wrote  a  note  to  Mr.  Fox  to  one  received  last  night,  and  one  of  enquiry 
to  H.  Smith.  My  mind  was  in  the  state  of  a  sea  after  a  storm — still 
tossed  and  agitated  as  if  from  the  upturnings  of  its  deepest  feelings. 
I  want  a  sedative.  Called  at  Covent  Garden,  and  saw  Bunn — told 
him  I  was  gratified  by  his  announcement  of  Lear  in  place  of  Richard, 
and  that  as  I  expressed  my  discontents,  I  thought  it  only  fair  to 
acknowledge  acts  of  justice.     He  stated  his  continual  wish  to  serve  my 

141 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

interests,  and  that  he  had  made  it  a  point  with  Westmacott  to  be  civil 
to  Lear.  Saw  Liston  on  the  stage  and  talked  to  him,  C.  Dance, 
G.  Dance,  etc.  Went  to  Garrick  Club,  where  I  dined  and  read  a  very 
kind  notice  on  Henry  IV  in  Athemeum ;  saw  Forster — I  did  not  com- 
prehend him ;  but  kindness  is  valuable  with  whatever  peculiarities. 
Saw  Jerdan,  Price,  Bartley  (who  praised).  Meadows,  Douglas,  etc. 
Found  at  home  notes  from  Pemberton — ^he  is  a  partizan  ;  'twere  well  for 
me,  if  I  had  many  such.  Made  up  my  bag  for  home,  and  went  to 
theatre,  where  I  received  a  note  from  Mr.  Benson  Hill — unworthy  of 
an  "officer  and  gentleman  "  to  write,  in  my  opinion — and  one  from 
Misses  Hill,  enclosing  five  guineas  for  their  box.  Acted  Henry  IV 
pretty  well.  Forster  came  into  my  room  and  told  me  Fonblanque  ^ 
had  been  looking  at  the  play  and  expressing  himself  in  the  highest  terms 
of  praise  on  the  improvement  of  my  style.  Came  home  by  11  to 
Elstree.     Forster  brought  me  Globe. 

ElstreCy  May  25th. — I  slept  well,  not  awaking  until  8  o'clock ;  and 
recruiting  my  nerves  and  spirits  from  the  demand  made  on  both, 
yesterday  and  the  day  before.  I  had  much  to  tell  to  very  anxious 
inquirers ;  I  had  brought  the  newspapers,  not  forgetting  the  extract 
from  the  Globey  which  appears  to  me  equally  liberal  and  discriminating. 
I  shall  bear  in  mind  the  caution  it  suggests.  On  coming  down  I  could 
not  resist  walking  out  upon  the  lawn  before  I  sat  down  to  breakfast, 
and  never  did  I  feel  the  charm  of  "  rural  worth  "  more  deeply.  The 
garden  was  quite  delicious  to  my  senses,  and  I  could  not  but  think  ib 
was  an  enjoyment  that  deserved  my  pains  and  labour,  and  the  resolution 
followed  the  thought  to  labour  in  gratitude  and  hope  for  my  dear  wife 
and  children,  for  whom  my  heart  constantly  sends  up  its  prayers  to 
God  to  bless  and  to  protect  them.  Amen !  Hastily  summed  up  my 
accounts,  and  wrote  notes  enclosing  orders  to  Dow  and  Pemberton, 
from  both  of  whom  I  had  received  applications.  Irksome  as  is  the 
study  of  my  profession  to  me,  I  set  to  work  at  Lear,  to  correct  the 
errors  of  my  performance,  and  to  give  myself  confidence  and  finish. 
My  intention  of  going  to  afternoon  service  (which  was  sincere)  was 
frustrated  by  the  state  of  mind  I  found  myself  in  with  this  difficult 
character,  and  I  thought  on  reflection  that  my  duty  was  not  com- 
promised by  remaining  at  home  and  steadily  pursuing  my  practice 
and  study.     I  did  so ;  Catherine  listening  to  me,  in  order  to  overcome 

^  Albany  Fonblanque  (1793-1872)  ;  journalist,  newspaper  editor  and  proprietor;  also, 
later  in  life,  Board  of  Trade  official.     He  was  at  this  time  editor  of  the  Examiner,  and  a 
staunch  supporter  of  Macready. 
142 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

my  nervousness.  I  found  much  to  correct,  and  much  to  confirm  myself 
in.  At  half-past  four  I  had  finished,  and  ran  down  into  the  garden 
to  enjoy  a  romping  play  with  my  dear  children ;  dressed  for  dinner 
and  walked  in  the  garden  with  dear  Catherine.  After  dinner  read  the 
ExamineTy  that  excellent  paper,  and  paid  some  attention  to  the  trees 
I  had  planted.     Read  prayers  to  the  family. 

London,  May  ^6t]i. — At  my  chambers  found  a  note  of  excuse  from 
Lord  Belfast  or  Duke  of  Bedford,  I  know  not  nor  care  which,  about 
a  private   box,   and  one  from   the  treasurer  of   that   disgusting  ugly 

pauper,  the  ;  ^  I  know  no  better — i.  e.  no  truer  designation  for 

her.  Rehearsed  Lear  at  Co  vent  Garden.  Went  to  Drury  Lane  about 
my  dress.  Came  home  and  answered  a  note  from  that  everlasting- 
indefatigable  bore,  Mr.  Atherstone,  sending  him  orders.  Went  to 
bed,  and  thought  over  some  of  the  work  before  me.  Was  a  little 
flurried  in  dressing,  but  soon  collected  myself,  and  acted  to  prove  the 
baseness  and  the  falsehood  of  the  Times :  an  avowed  enemy — Bacon. ^ 
I  acted  really  well — and  felt  that  my  audience  were  under  my  sway — 
I  threw  away  nothing — took  time  and  yet  gave  force  to  all  I  had  to 
do — above  all,  my  tears  were  not  those  of  a  woman  or  a  driveller,  they 
really  stained  a  ^^  manh  cheeks."  In  the  storm,  as  indeed  throughout, 
I  greatly  improved  upon  the  preceding  night,  I  was  frantic  with 
passion,  and  brought  up  expectation  to  the  dreadful  issue  of  such  a 
conflict.  I  lost  the  great  effect  of  "every  inch  a  king,"  but  will  be 
more  careful  in  future.  The  scene  with  Cordelia  and  the  death  were 
both  better  than  the  first  night.  Dow  came  into  my  room,  and  thought 
me  greatly  improved  throughout. 

Elstree,  May  27t/i. — Applied  myself  to  business  in  my  chambers, 
which  occupied  time,  and  then  sallied  forth.  In  the  hall  I  saw  two 
persons  at  Mr.  Dyne's  door,  and  had  gone  but  a  few  steps  when  I 
heard  a  strange  sort  of  hailing,  that  I  never  guessed  was  for  myself, 
and  passed  on  ;  it  followed  me  into  the  Square,  and  a  gentleman  accosted 
me  in  French,  observing  that  he  had  known  me  in  Paris  and  mentioning 
the  name  of  De  Fresne.  I  inquired  of  him  whom  I  had  the  pleasure 
of  addressing — he  told  me  "Monsieur  de  Fresne."^  I  was  delighted 
to  meet  him,  but  grieved  to  see  what  I  recollected  as  a  handsome  young 
man  so  much  altered.  I  asked  his  address,  which  he  promised  to  leave 
with  me,  and  invited  him  to  our  house.  He  told  me  he  had  lost  his 
wife,  and  that  he  had  one  child.     I  felt  deeply  the  joy  of  seeing  him, 

'  A  certain  economical  "Royalty."  ^  One  of  the  Times'  staff. 

'  A  Parisian  friend  to  whom  Macready  was  much  attached. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

but  it  was  sorrow  to  my  heart  to  see  a  man  of  such  a  prepossessing 
exterior,  such  cheerful  manners,  and  such  elegant  tastes,  so  changed. 
Took  a  cab  to  Reynolds's,  where  the  foolish  servant  paid  the  driver 
1«.  8d.  instead  of  8d.,  and  where  I  learned  that  Bunn  drove  a  carriage 
with  a  liveried  attendance.  This  will  follow  his  former  carriage — 
knavery  is  not  of  durability  enough  to  do  this  long.  Called  on  Wallace, 
whom  I  found  in  excellent  spirits,  and  on  Lardner,  who  showed  me  a 
very  interesting  map  of  the  London  and  Birmingham  Railway.  Came 
home  by  Bryant's  coach,  and  found  my  darling  children  and  wife  quite 
well. 

London y  May  2Sth. — Came  to  town  by  Reeves's  coach  ;  found  a  note 
from  Dr.  Spurgin  about  a  young  lady  aspiring  to  be  an  actress — 
"  God  help  thee,  silly  one !  "  Paid  the  furrier's  bill  for  Lear,  and 
wrote  an  answer  to  Mr.  Gandy's  ^  critical  letter  on  my  performance 
and  costume  of  Lear,  by  which  I  had  been  gratified,  and  for  which 
I  felt  obliged.  Went  with  some  anxiety  to  the  Garrick  Club  to  see 
the  result  of  last  night's  debate,  and  found,  after  the  Irish  Church  had 
been  brought  on,  that  Lord  Al thorp  had  moved  an  adjournment  to 
Monday.  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  Stanley  is  out.^  Called  on  Hayward, 
who  proposed  an  immediate  visit  to  Mrs.  Jameson,  to  which  I  assented, 
and  we  started  on  a  short  cut  by  Carlton  Place  to  Margaret  Street, 
Cavendish  Square.  He  is  agreeable,  with  a  little  of  the — what  we  all 
have.  I  left  a  card  at  the  lady's,  and  then,  after  struggling  through 
the  crowd  at  St.  James's — a  horrid  annoyance — parted  from  Hayward, 
and  went  on  my  way  to  call  at  Sheil's,  where  I  left  my  card.  Return- 
ing, I  inquired  at  Robins 's,  and  learned  he  had  sent  a  note  to  me 
which,  a  very  kind  one,  I  found  at  my  chambers,  with  Mr.  Warren's 
book  and  a  very  warm  presentation  of  it.  Heard  from  Hayward  by 
mistake  on  his  part  that  it  was  the  intention  of  some  members  of  the 
Garrick  Club  to  invite  me  to  dinner  on  my  performance  of  Lear. 
This  is  really  a  great  and  flattering  compliment.  Acted  Henry  IV 
pretty  well ;  was  requested  by  Mr.  Cooper  to  study  "  either  Sir  Edward 
Mortimer  or  Shylock  "  by  Monday  week  for  his  Benefit.  I  should  not 
hazard — certainly  shall  not  injure  advisedly — my  reputation  for  him ; 
I  could  not  justify  myself  in  committing  so  gross  a  folly. 

May  29th. — Received  a  very  kind  and  gentlemanlike  letter  of 
apology  from  Leigh  Hunt,  in  answer  to  my  note.  Wrote  to  Cooper 
an  explanation  of  the  impossibility  of  my  acceding  to  his  request  of  my 

*  Probably  a  member  of  the  well-known  family  of  architects. 

*  Lord  Stanley  shortly  afterwards  joined  the  Conservative  party. 
144 


WILLIAM   CHARLES    MACRKADY 
AS   KING   LEAK 

From  an  engraving 


1834]  THE  DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

studying  Mortimer  or  Shylock  without  doing  myself  a  serious  injury ; 
this  dull-brained  clod  has  no  idea  beyond  his  own  £  s.  d.  Forster 
called  and  staid  only  a  few  minutes.  Sent  £2,  which  I  grudged,  to 
the  prompter,  Willmott,  and  wrote  to  Calcraft  on  the  subject  of  Dublin 
for  November ;  to  Messrs.  Penley  and  Anderson,  agreeing  to  visit 
Leicester,  but  leaving  the  time  open.  Went  to  Garrick  Club,  where 
I  saw  the  papers  and  dined  ;  returning  to  chambers,  I  crossed  O'Hanlon, 
who  walked  with  me  here,  and  sat  some  few  minutes.  He  acknow- 
ledged that  he  supplied  Littleton  with  the  most  of  his  speech  on  the 
Repeal  question,  and  observed  that  he  got  it  off  admirably.  He 
thought  Lear  was  a  failure  from  the  report  of  the  Times,  and  this 
impression  upon  him  sank  my  spirits  very  low.  Acted  Virginius 
infamously,  with  the  exception  of  the  beginning  of  the  Forum  scene, 
into  which  I  rushed  with  resistless  earnestness.  I  was  out  of  temper 
with  myself,  which  did  me  no  good,  and  with  everybody  else,  which 
was  impertinent  and  unjustifiable.  Talfourd  came  into  my  room  to 
invite  me  to  dine  with  a  party  of  the  Garrick  Club  members,  which,  of 
course,  I  gratefully  accepted,  but  could  not  fix  a  day.  Forster  came 
in,  and  I  learned  that  he  was  excluded,  as  the  committee  would  not  sit 
down  with  him.  It  seems  they  sent  him  a  letter  of  which  he  took  no 
notice.     He  is  very  indiscreet. 

May  SOth. — Miss  Rudall  arrived  with  Miss  Tucker,  a  very  pretty, 
interesting  girl  of  fourteen,  with  all  the  enthusiasm  of  a  novice,  and 
all  the  fearlessness  of  inexperience.  She  has  an  insight  into  the  art 
of  playing  that  gives  promise  of  great  success — she  may  be  a  great 
actress — she  has  most  of  the  requisites  to  make  her  so,  but  promise 
has  been  so  delusive  in  this  particular  that  it  is  unsafe  to  trust  it.  She 
rehearsed  some  scenes  of  Juliet,  and  recited  a  poem  called  The  Captive, 
with  very  considerable  effect.  I  promised  to  endeavour  to  procure  her 
an  engagement  with  Calcraft  of  Dublin,  and  to  hear  her  rehearse 
occasionally.  Called  at  theatres  in  search  of  Bunn ;  found  Cooper  and 
Bartley  locked  up  together — two  knaves  in  manifest  collusion  ;  but  the 
theatre  is  a  chaos,  and  knaves  and  fools  the  jarring  atoms  that  compose 
it.  Saw  Bunn,  who  talked  about  the  Kembles,  Power,  Wallack,  etc. 
Called  at  the  Literary  Fund  Office,  and  saw  Mr.  Snow  the  secretary, 
who  explained,  in  answer  to  my  inquiries,  that  nothing  but  a  compli- 
ment was  intended  by  the  invitation  to  me,  and  that  they  would  not 
even  drink  my  health  if  it  was  objectionable  to  me.  I  accepted  the 
invitation. 

May  21st. — Received  a  note  from  a  Mr.  Jackson,  requesting  an 
VOL.  I.  L  14^ 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

interview  about  his  play  and  a  book  on  Shakspeare — evidently  an 
unfortunate  believer  in  his  possession  of  talent  which  no  one  else  would 
give  him  credit  for.  Called  at  Drury  Lane  and  Covent  Garden  in 
search  of  Bunn,  to  ascertain  from  him  my  nights  of  performance  next 
week ;  could  not  see  him,  but  met  Mr.  Bartley,  who  is  brimful  of 
discontent,  and  evidently  looking  towards  the  Kembles  with  some  hope 
of  help  ;  he  told  me,  privately,  that  Mr.  Cooper  had  sent  in  his  resigna- 
tion. Now,  as  Mr.  Cooper  exultingly  told  me  the  other  day  that  he 
was  engaged  for  three  years,  I  think  his  thought  of  resigning  must 
have  grown  out  of  his  conference  with  closed  doors  yesterday.  Bartley 
spoke  of  the  attack  upon  him  in  the  Age,  and  that  he  was  sure  he 
should  not  be  there  next  season.  I  did  not  feel  pity  for  this  man,  but 
listened  with  complacency  to  his  grumblings,  for  he  is  deep-dyed  in 
treachery — a  hollow,  Fawcett-like  kind  of  fellow,  i.  e.  a  traitor.  At 
Garrick  Club  I  dined,  and  saw  the  Athenseum  and  Literary  Gazette  on 
my  Lear,  both  complimentary.  Forster's  criticism  in  the  New  Monthly 
was  lengthy  and  over-done ;  he  directly  attacked  the  Times  for  its 
article  on  me,  which  will  assuredly  provoke  the  dirty  scribblers  of  that 
profligate  paper  to  revenge  themselves  upon  me  the  very  first  oppor- 
tunity. One  must  feel  grateful  for  his  intention,  but  at  the  same  time 
it  is  not  easy  to  suppress  the  sigh  that  rises  with  the  wish  of  "  Save  me 
from  my  friends !  " 

Elstree,  June  1st. — Woke  with  a  feeling  of  great  fatigue,  but  rose 
in  tolerably  good  time,  intending  to  give  a  reading  to  Lear.  On 
coming  downstairs  I  could  not  resist  the  beauty  of  the  morning,  and 
walked  round  the  garden  with  my  precious  children,  enjoying  the 
bounty  and  blessings  of  nature.  How  much  have  I  to  be  grateful  for ! 
And  how  strange  it  is  that,  surrounded  by  so  much  of  real  pleasure, 
I  should  sometimes  wish  to  mingle  in  the  less  pure  and  unalloyed  ones 
of  the  world !  After  breakfast  went  down  to  see  my  dogs,  and  then 
went  into  the  drawing-room,  where  I  read  aloud  two  acts  of  Lear,  and 
finished  the  remainder  to  the  reconciliation-scene  in  my  study.  The 
ringing  of  the  bell  announced  arrivals,  and  Messrs.  Phipson  and  King 
came,  with  whom  I  chatted  and  lounged  round  the  garden  ;  we  after- 
wards walked  down  to  the  reservoir.  Returning,  I  observed  that  the 
Dows  had  arrived,  and  after  a  little  further  lounge  in  the  garden  I  went 
to  my  study  and  settled  my  accounts.  Attended  to  the  concerns  of  the 
house,  and  sat  down  to  dinner  with  my  guests.  Our  day  was  spent 
cheerfully  enough,  but  I  began  to  look  with  apprehension  on  the  wine 
Mr.  King  drank,  fearing,  from  the  gradual  alteration  of  his  manner, 
146 


1834]  THE  DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

lest  he  might  fall  into  excess.  Fortunately  he  did  not.  Mr.  Dow, 
against  all  declaration  and  evidence,  maintained  that  T.  Moore  finished 
Mackintosh's  History  of  England ,  and  offered  to  cut  off  his  finger  if  it 
were  not  so — which  it  is  not ;  but,  notwithstanding,  he  will  not  hurt  his 
finger.  King  became  very  theatrical  and  affected ;  but  told  me  very 
truly  and  discriminately  of  the  failure  of  the  exit  in  the  fourth  act, 
which  I  must  try  to  amend.     The  Dows  left  us  at  ten  o'clock. 

London,  June  2nd. — Rehearsed  Kent's  scenes.  Here  is  one  among 
the  many  instances  afforded  by  Mr.  Bunn  to  prove  his  utter  disregard 
of  the  interests  of  the  drama.  Kent  is  to  Lear  the  most  important 
personage  in  the  play,  requires  powers  for  comedy  and  tragedy,  and 
should  be  entirely  at  his  ease  in  the  business  of  the  play.  Mr.  Bartley 
was  removed  from  it  to  take  a  very  insignificant  old  man  in  the  opera 
of  the  Cabinet  at  Drury  Lane,  and  Mr.  Mathews  (Mr.  Mathews!), 
without  time  to  learn  the  words  and  with  one  rehearsal,  was  to  be  the 
Kent  of  Covent  Garden.  And  thus  are  directed  the  rational  amuse- 
ments of  the  English  public !  Posted  Calcraft's  letter  on  my  way  to 
the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  read  the  papers ;  returned  to  chambers  and 
saw  Ellen,  who  repeated  to  me  the  impertinence  of  her  landlady,  which 
amused  me  a  little ;  her  assertion  that  she  knew  many  persons  who 
would  not  sit  down  to  table  with  an  actor  of  any  kind  diverted  me  a 
good  deal.  Ellen's  vindication  of  my  respectability  was  equally 
ridiculous ;  once  perhaps,  however,  I  might  have  been  annoyed  by  such 
nonsense !  Went  to  bed  after  dinner,  slept  and  read  a  little  of  Lear, 
but  could  not  bring  my  mind  to  that  feeling  of  possessing  all  my 
purposes  of  manner  and  degree  which  is  indispensable  to  success.  In 
the  performance  of  Lear,  thanks  to  my  audience,  I  was  better  than  my 
fears.  I  was  not  good  in  the  early  scenes  of  passion,  not  real,  not 
clearly  possessed  of  my  intentions,  and  therefore  effort  took  the  place 
of  wit  and  inspiration.  I  was  not  le  personnage.  In  the  madness  and 
latter  scenes  I  reasserted  myself.  Mr.  Cooper  (it  is  scarcely  worth 
noting),  upon  Miss  Phillips  declining  his  request  to  act  Y.  Ly.  Lambert 
for  him,  thanked  her  ironically  in  the  green-room,  told  her  he  was  the 
less  obliged  to  her,  and  that  she  must  have  done  it  if  he  had  sent  it  in 
his  official  capacity.  The  impertinence  of  a  second-  or  third-rate 
actor, ^  not  good  as  such,  speaking  tlius  to  a  young  lady  holding  first 
rank,  is  really  difficult  to  hear  with  patience. 

^  According  to  Oxberry,  "Just  as  good  an  actor  as  art  without  one  spark  of  genius  or 
any  effort  of  the  mind  could  make,  has  been  made  in  the  person  of  Mr.  Cooper.  Coldly 
correct,  scrupulously  exact,  minutely  perfect,  are  his  qualifications  ;  he  is  about  as  much  like 
a  real  first-rate  actor  as  a  fine  statue  is  to  a  living  being." 

L  2  14'; 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

June  3rd. — Went  to  Garrick  Club,  on  my  way  posting  a  True  Sun 
newspaper,  and  read  last  night's  debate,  with  which,  as  far  as  ministers, 
Tories,  and  trimming  Whigs  are  concerned,  I  was  sufficiently  disgusted. 

The  ministers  are  base,  dishonourable,  place-loving  men ;  to with 

them  as  soon  as  possible.  Grey,  Althorp,  Brougham,  Russell,  etc. ! 
Called  to  pay  bill  at  Colnaghi's ;  saw  the  engraving  of  the  cast  of 
Napoleon's  face — very  striking,  but  scarcely  retaining  a  resemblance 
to  the  portraits  of  him  in  life ;  if  the  nose  were  more  curved  it  might 
pass  for  a  head  of  Julius  Csesar.  Colnaghi  related  a  curious  fact  of 
the  Countess  de  Grey,  who  when  stone-blind  used  to  take  him  to  a 
picture  which  she  had  bought  at  a  great  price  as  an  original ,  and  would 
feel  different  parts  with  her  hands,  pointing  out  to  him  its  beauties. 
She  would  make  him  put  her  hand  on  the  different  parts  of  prints  which 
he  would  bring  her,  telling  her  the  subject  and  the  parts  of  it  she 
touched ;  and  on  observing  once  there  was  a  little  cat  in  the  corner  of 
one,  she  immediately  exclaimed,  "Oh,  I'll  have  that."  With  only 
the  power  of  imagining  what  was  before  her,  which  on  blank  paper 
she  would  have  done  as  satisfactorily  to  herself,  it  is  curious  that 
she  should  be  content  to  pay  money  for  enjoyment  beyond  her 
reach. 

June  4t/i. — Acted  pretty  well,  to  a  very  bad  house.  King  Henry  IV. 
Talfourd  came  to  my  room,  and  mentioned  to  me  that  from  the  Oxford 
Commemoration  and  Ascot  Races  they  could  not  muster  on  Tuesday 
next  such  a  party  as  they  had  expected,  but  that  if  I  would  meet  "  the 
few,"  their  pleasure  would  be  the  same.  I  expressed  my  deep  sense  of 
obligation,  and  left  it  to  his  own  judgment  to  decide  as  he,  on 
deliberation,  might  think  best. 

June  5th. — Having  the  appointment  with  Mr.  Fox  before  me,  which 
I  knew  would  engross  much  of  my  morning,  I  took  the  opportunity 
of  visiting  the  Exhibition  at  nine  o'clock.  I  saw  much  to  delight  me, 
particularly  Hilton's,  Landseer's,  Wilkie's,  Etty's,  and  Eastlake's 
pictures.  Returning,  I  found  Mr.  Fox  and  his  friends  had  anticipated 
our  appointment  nearly  half-an-hour.  I  thought  Miss  S.  Flower 
intelligent  and  clever,  but  I  fear  that  she  is  too  conscious  of  it,  and 
am  almost  certain  she  is  too  old  ever  to  make  much  proficiency  in  the 
dramatic  art.  I  heard  her  rehearse  in  I-.ady  Macbeth  and  Ophelia,  and 
recommended  her  to  study  Constance  and  let  me  see  her  in  a  week, 
when  I  would  give  her  a  more  decisive  opinion.  Went  to  the  Garrick 
Club,  where  I  saw  the  newspapers,  dined,  and  had  some  conversation 
with  Price  about  the  Kembles ;  by  his  account  they  must  have  realized 
148 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

X15,000.  I  felt  vexed  and  chagrined  to  hear  it,  for  the  man,  Kemble,^ 
is — no  matter ;  but  it  is  my  business  to  dismiss  any  concern  about  the 
matter,  for  perhaps  I  should  not  have  felt  much  less  if  he  had  been  as 
unstained  as  Bayard  himself. 

June  6th. — With  a  good  deal  of  business  before  me,  I  was  somewhat 
annoyed  by  my  messenger's  late  arrival,  but  employed  the  interval  in 
thinking  of  my  speech  to-morrow  at  the  Literary  Fund  Dinner.  At 
eleven  o'clock  Miss  Allison  (alias  Tucker)  called  with  her  aunt,  Mrs. 
Tucker,  a  very  fine-looking  woman,  and  went  over  some  scenes  of 
Virginia  and  Juliet  before  me,  and  also  read  a  page  of  Milton,  of  which 
I  perceived  she  understood  little  or  nothing.  This  ought  to  be  a 
reason  on  which  one  might  augur  ill  success,  but  it  is  not.  There  is 
much  in  Milton  and  Shakspeare  which  I  am  sure  Kean  could  not  under- 
stand, nor  Miss  O'Neil,  nor,  I  am  confident,  Mr.  C.  Kemble,  nor 
Mr.  Young.  From  the  appreciators,  therefore,  of  her  efforts  she  need 
not  fear  on  the  score  of  her  own  ignorance,  as  acquirement  and  informa- 
tion are  certainly  of  little  value.  Is  it  the  critic  of  a  newspaper,  or, 
still  less,  those  who  take  their  judgments  from  him,  that  are  to  set  me 
right  on  the  question  of  taste,  erudition  or  metaphysical  truth  ?  Of 
course,  among  that  audience  are  a  few — but,  alas,  how  few ! — whose 
highly  cultivated  minds  enable  them  to  judge  an  actor  by  the  standard 
of  his  poet,  to  detect  his  errors,  and  to  confirm  his  researches  by  their 
acquaintance  with  his  authorities.  But  these  are  very,  very  rare 
instances,  and  generally  their  sentiments  extend  no  further  than  their 
most  intimate  circle.  A  Mr.  Zach.  Jackson,  with  a  play  and  a  book 
on  Shakspeare,  called — one  of  those  "  fools  who  rush  in  "  to  criticize, 
where  modest  knowledge  shrinks  from  the  sacredness  of  the  temple. 
Called  to  see  O'Hanlon's  house,  which  is  really  beautiful  in  its  carvings, 
but  for  him  quite  out  of  keeping.  To  the  Athenasum,  which  I  liked 
exceedingly.  To  Garrick  Club,  which  looked  unusually  vulgar,  where 
I  dined  and  saw  papers.  Met  Hayward,  who  inquired  of  me  about  the 
dinner  to  myself,  on  which  I  could  not  satisfy  him.  Received  a  note 
from  R.  Price  with  intimation  of  the  dinner  having  been  fixed  for 
Tuesday  next.  Returned  to  the  subject  of  to-morrow's  dinner,  and 
endeavoured  to  collect  the  substance  of  what  I  ought  to  say  in  answer 
to  the  proposal  of  my  health,  which  I  think,  as  a  person  before  the 
public,  I  ought  not  to  shrink  from,  although  I  feel  myself  so  uncertain 
upon  the  mode  in  which  I  may  acquit  myself.  I  could  not  satisfy 
myself  with  sentence  after  sentence,  nor  was  it  until  three  o'clock  that 

^  Charles  Kemble,  for  whose  character  Macready  had  very  little  respect. 

149 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

I  wrote  down,  without  hiatus,  what  I  thought  might  do,  and  went  to 
rest,  jaded  and  spirit-tired. 

June  lih. — Again  returned  to  this  annoying  and  perplexing  speech, 
which  would  have  been  most  annoying  to  a  looker-on  ;  but  which,  like 
the  frog  in  the  fable,  I  could  truly  say  was  "  death  to  me."  My  whole 
day  was  the  speech — not  always  the  whole  speech,  but  certainly  nothing 
but  the  speech.  Took  a  cab  to  reach  my  place  of  appointment  with 
Fladgate,  whom  I  saw  at  the  fixed  place  to  the  moment.  It  should 
be  the  very  first  principle  of  a  gentleman,  among  the  lesser  obligations 
of  society,  never  to  break  an  appointment.  A  man  who  is  guilty  of 
such  a  dereliction  of  good  manners  cannot  justify  his  title  to  the  rank 
of  gentleman ;  his  rudeness  exposes  another  to  real  inconvenience,  and 
he  himself  has  pledged  his  word  to  a  falsehood.  Waited  some  time 
at  Chantrey's  and  at  last  saw  him ;  he  mentioned  the  Duke  of  Welling- 
ton's expectation  of  seeing  him  at  Oxford — that  he  was  therefore 
obliged  to  go.  Settled  to  apprise  Fladgate,  who  was  to  notify  the  same 
to  me,  of  his  interview  with  the  Dean,  etc.  Read  papers  at  the  Garrick 
Club,  having  walked  there  with  Fladgate,  and  discussed  the  mode  of 
laying  the  proposal  for  Mrs.  Siddons's  monument  before  the  Club ; 
also  having  related  to  him  some  very  creditable  anecdotes  of  her. 
Returned  to  my  chambers,  and  my  eternal  and  infernal  speech,  at  which 
I  laboured,  but  so  unsuccessfully  that  as  I  was  leaving  the  room  to 
go  out  I  found  on  trial  every  word  gone  from  my  mind ;  an  effort 
at  recollection  called  back  to  me  its  substance,  and  I  went  along, 
conning  it  over,  uncertain  whether  or  no  to  request  my  health  to  be 
omitted.  I  saw  T.  Hook  ^  in  the  reception-room,  and  Jerdan,  by  whom 
I  was  presented — a  mere  matter  of  form — to  the  Duke  of  Somerset ;  ^ 
Lord  Mulgrave,'  who  chatted  a  little,  as  did  Villiers,  who  seemed  very 
ill.  Lucien  Bonaparte  and  Tricoupi,  the  Greek  Minister,  were  also 
there,  and  Holman,  the  blind  traveller.  At  dinner  I  was  placed  next 
to  Murray,  opposite  to  Captain  Marryat,  Theodore  Hook — to  my  great 
surprise,  Dick,*  and,  near  me,  Gleig,  Lockhart,  and,  also  to  my  great 
surprise,  Christie,  who  reintroduced  himself  to  me.     I  spent  rather  a 

^  Theodore  Edward  Hook  (1788-1841),  the  notorious  practical  joker  and  improviser  ;  at 
that  time  editor  of  John  Bull,  the  scurrilous  Tory  and  "  Society  "  newspaper. 

*  Edward  Adolphus,  I2th  Duke  of  Somerset  (1775-1855),  K.G.  ;  president  of  various 
scientific  and  literary  societies,  including  the  Royal  Literary  Fund, 

"  Second  Earl  and  first  Marquis  of  Normanby(  1797- 1863)  ;  then  Lord  Privy  Seal  in  Lord 
Melbourne's  Administration. 

*  Probably  Quintin  Dick,  a  wealthy  Tory  M.P.  whose  name  was  prominently  before  the 
public  earlier  in  the  century  in  connection  with  a  borough-mongering  transaction  with  Lord 
Castlereagh,  then  leader  of  the  House  of  Commons. 

150 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

pleasant  day,  only  overshadowed  by  anticipations  of  ray  speech,  which, 
like  many  good  and  evil  anticipations  of  our  life,  never  came.  The 
Duke  left  the  chair — I  followed.     Parturiunt  montes,  nascitur — nihil. 

Elstree,  June  Sth. — It  is  ludicrous  to  think  on  the  annoyance  I 
suffered  myself  to  feel  from  the  care  and  thought  I  had  given  to  the 
consideration  of  what  I  should  say  in  answer  to  the  compliment,  of 
which  I  had  been  officially  notified,  and  the  disappointment  I  endured 
in  the  ridiculous  sacrifice  of  so  much  valuable  time  and  thought.  Still 
I  had  scarcely  an  alternative  between  looking  as  miserable  as  poor 
Pickersgill,  whom  I  pitied  from  my  soul,  or  making  some  preparation 
for  what  I  unfortunately  have  so  much  neglected  in  my  general  self- 
instruction.  No  man  should  speak  without  clear  thought — without  a 
perfect  arrangement  of  his  ideas ;  if  he  has  these,  words  are  as  certain 
to  follow  them  as — what?  Here  is  the  very  error  of  my  life,  con- 
tinually beginning  a  half-arranged  sentence,  and  then  reduced  to  a 
perplexity,  of  which  my  habitual  hesitation  is  the  offspring,  to  find 
words  and  exact  ideas  to  conclude  it.  It  is  one  of  the  most  important 
principles  in  forming  the  manners  of  man  or  woman  to  check  in  them 
that  tendency  to  precipitancy  which  commits  the  speaker  to  the  utter- 
ance of  words  before  his  mind  has  clear  and  full  possession  of  what 
ought  to  be  said.  Foolish  persons  will  flatter  you  (they  have  done  so 
by  me,  and  I  believed  them)  by  saying  this  hesitation  and  confusion  of 
sentences  arises  from  a  too  rapid  flow  of  ideas.  "  'Tis  a  foolish 
saying  ;  "  it  arises  from  a  total  want  of  ideas,  or  such  a  huddled  mixture 
of  them  as  makes  them  inapplicable  to  use.  At  breakfast  read  the 
Examiner;  was  surprised,  and  not  pleased  with  its  criticisms  on  my 
Lear,  which  the  writer  could  not  have  seen.  He  accuses  me  of  too  great 
a  show  of  senility,  when  the  general  exception,  where  any  is  made,  is 
upon  the  opposite  side.  Walked  much  in  the  garden,  and  submitted 
myself  to  the  hands  of  Catherine  and  Letitia  to  take  out  the  footmarks 
of  time  upon  my  head. 

June  9th. — Walked  down  to  the  lower  field  with  my  little  Nina  and 
Willie  to  look  at  the  mowers,  who  had  begun  to  cut.  What  delight 
it  is  to  see  these  little  creatures  running  about  one,  and  how  thankful 
ought  I  not  to  be  to  the  Giver  of  so  many  blessings,  which  my  life  has 
so  ill  deserved !  Blessed  be  His  name !  and  may  I  show  myself  in  their 
education  at  least  sensible,  though  not  worthy,  of  His  divine  goodness. 
Amen.  After  breakfast  walked  with  my  dear  Catherine  in  the  garden. 
Gave  up  the  entire  day  to  think  on  what  I  ought  to  say  to-morrow 
at  the  Garrick  Club,  where,  of  course,  the  very  compUment  of  the 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

invitation,  and  the  certainty  that  my  health  will  be  proposed  as  the 
leading  toast,  make  it  incumbent  on  me  to  endeavour  to  express  my 
sense  and  appreciation  of  the  kindness  of  my  friends.  The  difficulty 
I  had  in  retaining,  as  it  was  written,  a  prepared  speech  on  Saturday, 
induced  me  to  try  if  I  could  from  my  own  feelings  utter  in  order  and 
proper  arrangement  such  an  answer  as  might  suit  the  occasion.  I 
thought  on  the  matter,  walking  on  the  lawn,  and  at  last  fixed  something 
in  my  mind,  which  I  thought  would  sufficiently  translate  the  warm 
emotions  of  my  gratitude;  I  repeated  it  to  Catherine  and  my  sisters, 
who  thought  it  sufficient.  Looked  at  the  flowers,  the  shrubs,  and 
grass,  the  beauty  of  the  day,  with  inexpressible  delight — nor  was  the 
night  less  lovely  than  the  day.  It  is  not  hard  to  be  happy,  if  we  will 
but  look  for  wisdom ;  if  we  will  open  our  eyes  to  the  beneficence  of  our 
Creator  and  the  benevolence  of  His  laws;  if  we  will  but  put  that 
restraint  upon  our  evil  passions  which  repays  us  in  its  very  act. 
Returned  to  the  subject  of  to-morrow,  and  was  preparing  to  go  to  bed 
satisfied  with  the  preparation  I  had  made,  when  Catherine  same  into 
my  study  to  inform  me  that  she  thought  what  I  purposed  saying  would 
make  me  enemies.  This  was  ill-timed,  at  least.  The  lateness  of  the 
hour  made  it  a  nervous  as  well  as  difficult  task  to  alter  it,  and  the 
uncertainty  of  retaining  clear  possession  of  what  I  might  substitute 
harassed  and  perplexed  me.     I  altered  it  and  went  to  bed. 

London,  June  10th. — I  was  dressing  to  go  to  town  by  Bryant,  when 
a  note  came  from  Alger,  at  Bartley's  order,  informing  me  that  I  was 
announced  for  Hamlet  this  evening  at  Covent  Garden,  and  that  the 
rehearsal  was  at  eleven  I  I  as  usual  felt,  before  I  thought,  and  im- 
puting this  step  of  the  manager  to  malice  prepense,  went  downstairs 
to  make  Catherine  write  a  note  by  Billings,  saying  that  I  was  not  at 
home,  and  I  was  to  go  out  to  give  the  semblance  of  fact  to  the 
equivocation.  A  very  little  reflection  showed  me  the  un worthiness  and 
imprudence  of  such  a  course,  and,  muttering  indignant  reproaches  on 
Messrs.  Bunn  and  Bartley,  I  returned  to  my  dressing-room  and  con- 
tinued my  toilet  to  be  ready  for  the  coach,  that  I  might  not  lose  the 
rehearsal.  I  consoled  myself  in  the  thought  that  it  would  be  practice, 
and  tend  to  help  me  on,  but  of  all  characters  I  am  most  disconcerted 
by  being  called  on  suddenly  for  Hamlet.  I  came  up  and  was  first  at 
rehearsal ;  from  the  prompter's  table  I  wrote  a  hasty  note  to  R.  Price, 
requesting  him  to  intimate  my  inability  to  dinie  at  the  Garrick  to 
Talfourd,  and  sent  it  by  Healey.  Rehearsed  with  much  care — I  cannot 
entirely  dismiss  the  suspicion  that  this  play  has  been  announced  partly 
152 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

to  cross  me ;  but  perhaps  I  do  Bunn  an  injustice.  Dined  and  looked 
at  papers  at  the  Garrick  Club.  Wrote  orders  for  Pemberton  and 
Dow ;  lay  down  in  bed,  where  I  had  some  matters  to  raccommoder 
about  my  dress  which  only  I  could  do.  Acted  very  well,  considering 
the  circumstance  of  my  surprise  and  little  preparation,  very  well  indeed. 
With  due  pause  and  care,  and  real,  not  vocal,  energy.  I  was,  however, 
foolish  enough  to  lose  my  temper  in  two  instances  :  once  at  the  gross 
buffoonery  of  that  drunken  old  man,  Blanchard  ^ — a  sad  instance  of 
abused  talent — and  again  at  Mr.  Warde,^  who  distressed  me  by  his 
incorrectness,  which  was  occasioned  by  his  absenting  himself  from 
rehearsal ;  he  was  very  inexcusable,  but  I  was  more  so,  for  I  ought  to 
have  known  better.  Talfourd  came  from  the  dinner,  which  took  place 
without  me,  to  tell  me  the  party  had  resolved  on  carrying  their  purpose 
into  effect  at  the  close  of  the  season. 

June  11th. — Mr.  Fox  and  Miss  Flower  called ;  heard  her  rehearse 
part  of  Constance ;  confirmed  in  my  opinion  that,  with  a  mind  quite 
equal  to  the  first  place  in  the  profession  of  a  player,  she  has  applied 
herself  too  late  in  life  to  its  practice  to  give  her  a  hope  of  success. 
This  I  endeavoured,  as  delicately  as  possible,  to  suggest  to  her ;  but 
as  she  did  not  scorn  to  take  my  view  of  the  subject,  I  recommended  to 
her  the  experiment  of  a  short  engagement  at  Liverpool,  if  it  could 
be  obtained,  and  promised  to  write  to  the  managers  there  on  the 
subject. 

June  18f/i.^-Hayward  called  for  me ;  I  got  into  his  coach,  and  went 
with  him  to  Mrs.  Jameson's.^  She  Avas  not  present ;  on  her  coming 
down,  I  was  introduced  by  Hayward  in  a  low  tone,  and  conversation 
began.  Hayward  mentioned  my  name,  saying  he  had  detained  Macready. 
'*0h,"  said  she,  "why  did  you  not  bring  Macready?"  "This  is 
Mr.  Macready,"  he  said.  I  bowed  and  smiled,  she  apologized,  curtsied 
and  blushed.  After  a  little  conversation,  she  introduced  me  to  Mrs. 
Austin,^  who  seemed  to  me  grave-minded,  austere,  if  not  haughty ; 
she  was  looking  at  some  German  outline  engravings  of  illustrations ; 
we  talked  a  little.  Hayward  took  me  away  to  introduce  me  to  Miss 
Martineau,*  with  whom  I  talked  a  little  on  America,  where  she  is  going 

*  William  Blanchard  (1769-1835),  actor  of  broad  comedy  ;  performed  chiefly  at  Covent 
Garden. 

^  See  note,  p.  131. 

8  Sarah  Austin  (1793-1867),  translator  and  editor  of  various  well-known  historical  works. 
Wife  of  John  Austin,  the  Professor  of  Jurisprudence. 

*  Harriet  Martineau  (1S02-1876),  the  well-known  writer,  then  at  the  hei.eht  of  her 
reputation, 

^53 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

this  summer.  Talked  with  Mrs.  Duller,^  a  very  handsome,  intelUgent 
woman ;  asked  to  be  introduced  to  Eastlake,  and  conversed  with  him 
for  some  time ;  fell  into  conversation  about  Miss  Wright.  Mrs.  Opie  ^ 
objected  to  her.  I  liked  very  much  the  benevolent,  cheerful  coun- 
tenance of  Mrs.  Opie ;  she  looked  what  I  should  have  expected.  Mrs. 
Jameson  talked  about  the  stage  and  Miss  Kemble,^  whom  she  affected 
not  to  have  considered  a  great  actress.  I  heard  nothing  particular. 
The  people  were  agreeable  and  well-bred.     Walked  home. 

June  15th. — While  dressing,  received  a  note  from  Sheil,  accepting 
ray  invitation  for  Tuesday ;  I  was  pleased  with  the  hope  of  seeing  him. 
The  Examiner,  which  last  Sunday  contained  so  unfriendly  and,  I  may 
truly  say,  so  unjust  a  remark  upon  my  Lear,  has  to-day  a  sort  of  note 
of  preparation  to  Mr.  Vandenhoff's  appearance  to-morrow  night — 
unusual  in  any  paper,  and  most  particularly  so  in  the  Examiner.  If 
the  sequel  does  not  prove  this  preparatory  to  puffing  and  indicative  of 
factious  intrigue,  I  do  the  writer  great  injustice.  For  my  defence 
against  the  treachery  and  business  of  newspapers  I  have  no  reliance  but 
on  my  God's  bounty  to  me,  and  my  own  industry.  Walked  round  the 
garden  before  breakfast  and  was  charmed  with  the  deliciousness  of  the 
air,  the  trees  and  flowers ;  I  have  never  remembered  so  delightful  a 
spring.  Coming  in,  I  referred  to  my  past  accounts,  and  ascertained 
that  the  expense  of  carriage  to  and  from  town,  not  including  goods, 
nor  hackney  coaches,  had  exceeded,  since  last  October,  £52  10s.,  which 
makes  me  think  of  using  horses  of  my  own,  if  I  am  still  stationary  in 
London.  After  dinner  the  children  came  down,  and  I  took  a  walk 
round  the  garden  and  in  the  field,  to  examine  the  hay,  with  Catherine. 
Read  the  newspaper  and  listened  to  arrangements  for  our  party  on 
Tuesday.  The  situation  in  which  I  stand,  dependent  as  I  am  for  my 
own  means  of  subsistence  and  for  my  hopes  of  making  provision  for  my 

*  The  mother  of  Charles  Buller,  the  brilliant  Whig  statesman,  alluded  to  by  Thackeray 
in  his  touching  lines  on  Bullet's  death — 

"Who  knows  the  inevitable  design? 

Blest  be  He  who  took  and  gave  ! 
Why  should  your  mother,  Charles,  not  mine, 

Be  weeping  at  her  darling's  grave  ? 
We  bow  to  Heaven  that  willed  it  so, 

That  darkly  rules  the  fate  of  all, 
That  sends  the  respite  or  the  blow, 

That's  free  to  give  or  to  recall." 

*  Amelia  Opie  (1769-1853),  the  second  wife  of  John  Opie,  the  well-known  R.A.  ;  an 
accomplished  writer  ;  also  devoted  to  philanthropy. 

■  Fanny  Kemble,  about  whose  acting  opinions  appeared  to  have  been  greatly  divided. 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

children,  accounts  for  the  kind  of  uncertainty,  or  perhaps  anxiety,  with 
which  I  regard  every  effort  to  displace  me  or  share  with  me  the  leading 
station  of  my  profession ;  and  as  the  conduct  of  the  newspapers  towards 
me  renders  this  particularly  easy  to  any  new  aspirant,  it  can  scarcely 
be  called  weakness  if  I  look  forward  with  uneasiness  till  the  result 
determines  for  me.  May  the  biasing  of  God  be  with  me  and  mine! 
Amen ! 

June  16th. — A  note  from  Pemberton  for  orders,  and  one  from  Mr. 
Cooper,  requesting  me  '*to  meet  him  in  Mr.  Bunn's  room  at  twelve  on 
the  subject  of  the  Theatrical  Bill  in  the  House  of  Lords."  I  answered 
him  that  my  brother's  promotion  took  me  into  the  City,  and  that  1 
could  not  go.  This  is  an  attempt  to  curry  favour  with  Mr.  Bunn,  on 
his  and  Mr.  Bartley's  part,  at  the  expense  of  the  interests  of  all  the 
actors — these  are  "basest  of  the  basest,"  these  ignorant,  servile  stage- 
managers;  but  "fit  body  to  fit  head."  Went  to  the  Garrick  Club, 
where  I  met  Forster,  who  accepted  our  invite  for  Sunday.  Bartley 
came  in,  who,  very  reserved  upon  the  subject,  told  me  that  nothing  was 
done  in  Bunn's  room,  the  intention  having  been  given  up  of  petitioning. 
Dined,  and,  returning  to  chambers,  received  notes  from  Dance,  de- 
clining.  Miss  P accepting   invitations   for   Sunday.     Lay   down. 

Letitia  returned  and  dined.  A  Mr.  Bromley  wrote  a  note  to  Catherine, 
which  was  a  very  great  impertinence,  asking  assistance  on  the  plea  of 
having  seen  her  as  a  child ;  I  tore  it.  Acting  Macbeth  with  much 
earnestness  and  freedom ;  was  good  in  the  soliloquy  on  the  murder — 
very  good ;  in  the  murderers',  murder,  banquet  scenes,  also  good ;  and 
before  the  battle,  though  my  effects  were  injured  by  Messrs.  Warde 
and  Mathews  being  strange  in  their  respective  parts.  Dowton  spoke  to 
me  about  the  requisition  of  the  morning,  and  was,  of  course,  opposed 
to  it.  I  was  angry  (which  I  had  no  right  to  be — in  consideration  of 
him  and  myself)  with  Mr.  Warde. 

Elstrce,  June  11th. — Received  note  from  Mason,  intimating  his 
intention  of  dining  with  us  to-day.  AValked  in  garden  and  gathered 
some  fruit ;  went  into  the  field  and  looked  at  the  hay ;  the  wind  was 
high,  and,  though  occasionally  showery,  the  men  were  carrying. 
Looked  out  wine  for  our  dinner,  as  I  knew  no  time  would  be  left 
me  if  our  guests  should  have  anticipated  me.  At  about  two  o'clock 
Captain  Thruston  arrived,  and  after  sauntering  in  the  field  and 
road,  I  proposed  our  entering  upon  the  business  of  his  early  visit ; 
he  read  to  me  his  play  called  the  Sister's  Tragedy,  with  several  scenes 
of  which  I  was  much  pleased,  and  also  with  the  indivicjiiaHty  of  char- 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

acter  sustained  through  tlic  piece ;  it  appeared  to  me  to  possess  much 
merit.  1  recommended  him  to  leave  it  with  me  in  the  hope  I  might 
be  able  to  suggest  some  more  effective  termination,  which  is  strained, 
without  either  terror  or  pathos.  Before  five  o'clock  Dr.  Lardner  and 
the  Chevalier  De  Fresne  arrived,  and  for  an  hour  we  held  a  discussion — 
to  me  very  interesting — on  les  heaux  arts  and  the  drama,  particularly 
on  the  play  of  Machethf  Mrs.  Siddons  and  Talma.  In  the  drawing- 
room  we  found  my  family,  my  sweet  children  with  their  dear  mother, 
looking  like  two  little  cherubs,  or  emblems  of  innocence.  A  servant 
in  livery  brought  a  note  from  Sheil,  regretting  that  the  continuation 
of  the  Coercion  Bill  by  Ministers  obliged  him  to  press  a  motion,  which 
he  had  purposed  to  suspend  (in  order  not  to  embarrass  ministers),  but 
which  he  was  urged  by  the  Irish  Members  to  press  this  evening,  and 
that,  in  consequence,  he  "could  not  come."  It  was  a  disappointment, 
but  I  believe  it  was  undesired  on  his  part.  Hay  ward  and  Mason 
arrived,  and  we  sat  down  to  dinner.  Le  Chevalier  was  particularly 
interesting,  his  account  of  some  letters  in  his  own  or  his  friend's  posses- 
sion engaged  our  deepest  attention :  one  was  from  Herault  de  Sechelles 
to  the  Librarian  of  the  Bibliotheque  du  Roi  for  a  copy  of  the  laws  of 
Minos  to  frame  a  code  from.  The  sudden  demand  upon  my  French 
gave  me  less  trouble  than  I  expected,  and  I  contrived  to  convey  my 
meaning  in  my  translated  English  thoughts.  All  our  guests  left  us 
except  Dr.  Lardner ;  Captain  Thruston  taking  away  with  him,  to  my 
great  regret,  M.  De  Fresne.  We  had  an  hour  of  most  interesting  con- 
versation, or  rather  information,  from  Dr.  Lardner  before  retiring.  Of 
Newton  he  observed  he  made  about  a  dozen  discoveries,  any  one  of 
which  would  have  immortalized  any  other  man. 

June  18th. — Battle  of  Waterloo — 1815.  Woke  with  oppressive 
headache,  and  unable  to  talk  or  play  with  my  little  darling  Nina,  who 
was  awake  in  her  crib  beside  me,  and  who  lay  in  patient  silence  not  to 
disturb  her  mother  till  the  servant  came  for  her — the  sweet  child !  On 
rising,  I  walked  round  the  garden,  drawing  refreshment  and  pleasure 
from  the  freshness  of  the  air.  Dr.  Lardner  was  at  breakfast,  which 
was  prolonged  to  an  unusual  hour  by  the  cheerful  and  interesting  con- 
versation. Found  no  opportunity  of  sitting  down  to  business  of  any 
kind.  Dr.  Lardner  fixed  on  going  to  town  by  the  Bedford  coach,  and 
seemed  resolute  to  be  idle  until  his  departure.  Mentioned  his  intended 
tour  to  Paris,  etc.,  and  wished  me  to  accompany  him,  which  dear 
Catherine's  situation,  independent  of  the  expense,  would  not  permit. 
We  walked  for  some  time  in  the  garden,  and  then,  on  his  proposal,  to 

156 


1834]  THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

the  reservoir,  taking  Luath  with  us ;  we  found  the  water  so  low  that 
I  countermanded  my  boat,  when  we  returned,  which  in  the  early  morn- 
ing I  had  ordered  down  to  be  floated.  We  discussed  the  subject  of 
keeping  horses  and  carriage,  which  he  computed  would  amount  to  <£70 
per  annum.  This  is  so  much  more  than  I  had  thought,  although  only 
<£10 — or  little  more — (perhaps  not  so  much)  above  my  present  annual 
amount  of  carriage  expense,  that  I  am  disposed  to  pause  upon  it.  The 
advantages  would  certainly  be  great,  but  I  must  be  sure  that  I  do  not 
purchase  them  at  too  dear  a  rate.  Walked  up  with  Dr.  Lardner  to 
the  coach,  and  saw  him  off.  Met  our  old  servant,  Green ;  again  out 
of  place,  I  fear.  Felt  very  much  fatigued ;  more,  I  apprehend,  from 
indulgence  of  appetite  and  stretch  of  attention,  than  from  absolute 
exertion.  Read  some  notices  on  the  poet  Gower,  Henry  IV,  and  their 
tombs,  in  Blore's  Monumental  Remains.  Was  sorry  to  hear  from 
Lardner  to-day  the  weakness  of  Babbage  ^  in  his  childish — query  base  ? 
— anxiety  for  the  notice  of  titled  persons.  In  Moore  such  meanness  is 
notorious,  and  in  a  mere  song-writer  may  not  so  much  surprise  one ; 
but  in  a  man  of  science  we  are  obliged  to  blush  for  the  character  of 
philosophy. 

London,  June  21st. — Dined  with  Talfourd,  where  I  met  Hayward, 
Whitmore,  Baines,  Price,  Forster  and  several  others  of  legal  note — 
a  very  pleasant  afternoon. 

Elstree,  June  22nd. — Talfourd  and  Forster  arrived,  and  we  sat 
down  to  a  very  pleasant  dinner.  We  were  certainly  a  very  merry  set 
of  people,  with  much  to  enjoy,  and  with  a  spirit  of  enjoyment  amongst 
us.  We  carried  our  last  bottle  of  claret  into  the  summer-house,  where 
we  found  a  "locus  desipere."  We  rambled  about  the  garden  in  the 
beautiful  summer  twilight,  and  at  last  went  into  the  drawing-room, 
where  Mr.  Lough  was  so  engrossing  in  his  attentions  to  that  very  sweet 

girl,  Miss  P ,  that  parties  were  detached  to  her  rescue.     I  felt  I 

had  taken  too  much  wine,  and  could  not  trust  myself;  so  went  into 
my  study,  where  I  sat  in  the  dark  in  my  easy-chair,  endeavouring  to 
steady  my  head  and  tranquillize  my  nerves.  They  left  us  at  a  late 
hour,  Mrs.  Sloman  lowing  good-night  to  them,  and  we  soon  retired,  I 
most  gladly,  to  bed. 

June  23rd. — Went  to  the  Garrick  Club,  Avhere  I  dined,  read  the 
newspapers,  and  looking  through  Quarterly  Review  was,  of  course, 
offended  and  disgusted  with  that  puppy  Lockhart's  notice  of  great 

^  Charles  Babbage  (1792-1871),  the  eminent  mathematician  and  inventor  of  the  calculating 
machine. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

tragedians.  Went  to  Mrs.  Jameson's  at  eight — for  whom  I  waited 
till  half-past,  and  with  whom  I  had  to  endure  a  tete-a-tete — "  too  much 
Mr.  Merriman  "  of  two  hours.  Phillips — of  musical-lecturing  celebrity 
— called,  I  knew  his  voice,  and  heard  her  dismiss  him  as  if  she  feared 
to  let  me  know  of  her  acquaintance.  She  told  me  much  of  Fanny 
Kemble,  and  her  father's  making  a  trade  of  her.  I  waited  impatiently 
for  the  announcement  of  the  carriage,  and  when  it  came  got  very 
thankfully  into  it  to  return  to  Elstree — to  my  home — my  dear  home. 

June  24f/i. — On  this  day  ten  years  ago  I  was  married  to  my  beloved 
Catherine,  whose  affection,  mildness,  and  sweet  disposition  have  made 
the  greater  part  of  my  life  since  that  dear  event  most  truly  happy. 
The  cares  and  concerns  which  have  taken  up  my  thoughts  for  the  last 
few  days  iiave  made  me  unobservant  of  the  approach  of  this  blessed 
anniversary,  and  it  was  not  until  the  morning  had  nearly  passed  away 
that  I  remembered  it,  and  insisted  upon  its  being  kept  as  well  as  our 
brief  notice  and  domestic  party  could  mark  and  do  it  honour.  I  bless 
the  day  and  bless  the  dear  woman  whose  love  and  virtues  consecrate 
it  in  my  thoughts,  and  I  humbly  and  devoutly  thank  my  God  for  the 
bounties  He  has  vouchsafed  me,  and  fervently  implore  a  continuance  of 
His  divine  blessings  on  my  wife,  my  children  and  myself.     Amen ! 

June  26th. — Began  my  work  of  preparation  for  Dublin  by  marking 
the  first  act  of  the  Bridal,  which  I  almost  fear  rushes  too  abruptly  in 
medias  res. 

June  9rtth. — Mr.  I.ee  arrived  with  a  letter  from  Mr.  Kenneth, 
informing  me  that  a  committee  had  been  appointed  to  set  on  foot  a 
monument  to  Mr.  Kean,  and  wishing  to  know  if  I  would  act  at  Rich- 
mond next  Thursday  for  him ;  also  sending  a  list  of  the  committee,  of 
which  I,  uninvited,  was  set  down  as  one !  I  talked  to  Mr.  I.ee  much 
more  than  I  ought — how  sadly  am  I  deficient  in  discretion  and  self- 
goverriment ! — and  wrote  a  cool,  stiff  note  back,  stating  that  I  was 
engaged  on  Thursday,  and  being  engaged  at  Richmond  could  not  act 
there  until  such  engagement  was  over,  when  I  would  do  it  or  give 
my  name  to  a  subscription — which  I  feel  ashamed  of  doing. 

London,  June  9Sth. — Went  to  town  by  Billings,  endeavouring  to 
arrange  in  my  mind  what  I  should  say  at  the  Garrick  Club  dinner, 
but  distracted  by  the  intervening  thoughts  of  this  disgusting  piece  of 
quackery,  the  monument  to  Mr.  Kean.  Went  to  the  Garrick  Club 
and  ate  a  sandwich,  which  gave  me  a  headache ;  read  the  papers — think 
that  the  tone  is  lowering  on  Mr.  Vandenhoff 's  merits ;  was  Vexed  and 
surprised  to  hear  that  I  was  expected  to  subscribe  £10  to  Kean's 
158 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

monument — the  greatest  disgrace  to  the  art  of  all  the  disgraceful 
members  that  ever  practised  it !  .  .  .  Met  Stanfield,  to  whom  I  men- 
tioned Mrs.  Siddons's  affair ;  he  asked  me  if  I  would  sit  to  Mr.  Simpson, 
who  wished  to  present  my  portrait  to  the  Garrick  Club.  Of  course  I 
acknowledged  the  compliment. 

July  3rd. — Mr.  Z.  Jackson  called ;  one  of  the  most  adhesive  and 
troublesome  of  all  burrs  or  bores.  I  promised  to  look  over  his  stuff — 
which  he  caUs  a  play — and  had  the  pleasure  of  restoring  to  him  an 
octavo  volume  of  nonsense,  which  he  calls  corrections  of  Shakspeare's 
text.  Paid  Freeman  and  Healey,  and  still  repeated  and  repeated  what 
I  had  to  say.  Between  my  speech,  the  heat,  want  of  exercise  and 
luncheon  I  was  quite  oppressed,  and  lay  down  in  the  hopes  that  a  little 
sleep  would  tranquillize  my  nerves,  which  were  much  and  painfully 
excited.  To  the  very  last  moment  I  persisted  in  thinking  over  and 
repeating  my  speech — oh  !  this  annoying  compliment ! — and  went  at 
last  to  the  dinner.  Saw  Fladgate  in  the  drawing-room,  who  agreed 
to  bring  forward  the  business  of  Mrs.  Siddons's  monument,  and  I 
engaged  that  Talfourd  should  press  it  forward.  Introduced  to  Messrs. 
Thackeray,^  Graves,  Bredel,  Maynard,  Maitland,  Brown,  Murphy, 
Palmer,  besides  met  Talfourd,  Price,  Forster,  J.  Smith,  White,  Simp- 
son, Blood,  Willett  and  three  or  four  more  gentlemen,  whose  names 
I  cannot  remember.  There  was  venison,  etc.,  and  excellent  wines. 
Talfourd  proposed  my  health,  with  a  speech  as  eloquent  as  it  was 
kind — which  says  all  for  it  that  truth  and  admiration  can  wish  to  say. 
I  answered  it  as  well  as  I  could  with  self-possession,  but  under  strong 
nervous  excitement.  We  had  some  very  good  songs  from  James 
Smith  ^  and  Blood,  and  the  evening  was  very  pleasant.  Talfourd  left 
us  on  business  with  a  promise  to  return.  Shortly  after  Thackeray 
and  one  or  two  others  dropped  away,  and  I  intimated  to  Fladgate  the 
necessity  of  proceeding  with  our  purpose,  lest  our  audience  should 
become  too  diminished.  He  accordingly  broached  the  subject,  which 
he  very  shortly  transferred  to  me,  and  I  had  to  lay  before  the 
party  my  views  as  to  the  desire  of  myself  and  others  that  the  Club 
exclusively  should  have  the  honour  of  erecting  a  monument  to  that 
great  actress,  alluded  to  the  generosity  of  her  character  in  encouraging 
merit  in  obscurity,  relating  an  anecdote  of  Kean's  appearance  before 
her,  and  of  her  kind  predictions,  which  I  hinted  at,  of  my  own  success. 

•  Thackeray,  then  only  twenty-three,  had  just  embarked  on  miscellaneous  journalism, 
and,  as  yet,  made  no  literary  reputation. 

*  Joint  author  of  the  famous  Rejected  Addresses. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

I  mentioned  what  Fladgate  and  myself  had  done  in  the  interviews  we 
had  had  with  Chantrey  and  the  Dean  of  Westminster,  and  concluded 
by  hoping  that  they  would  not  think  I  wished  to  dictate  to  them,  but 
that  they  would  concur  with  me  in  thinking  that  it  would  confer 
honour  on  our  Society  to  carry  this  object  into  effect.  It  was  very 
cordially  received,  resolutions  were  passed,  and  upwards  of  X50  was 
voted  instantly.  Talfourd  returned,  and  was  informed  of  it — he  rose 
to  return  thanks  for  his  health  being  drunk,  and  spoke  on  the  subject 
of  the  monument,  £igain  adverted  to  the  occasion  of  the  meeting,  and 
pronounced  a  most  brilliant  panegyric  upon  me.  The  day  passed  off 
most  happily,  and  at  twelve,  or  nearly  so,  we  went  into  the  drawing- 
room,  where  I  introduced  myself  to  Simpson,  and  where  Bredel  intro- 
duced himself  to  me.  We  talked  on  the  merits  of  Mrs.  Siddons, 
Kemble,  Miss  O'Neil  and  Kean  very  agreeably  until  one  o'clock,  when 
I  went  to  my  chambers,  leaving  the  few  behind  to  broiled  bones  and 
iced  champagne.  In  bed  I  read  short  memoirs  of  Vauzan  and 
William  III,  and  went  to  sleep  in  great  dread  of  to-morrow's  headache. 
July  Mh. — Turned  over  in  my  mind  the  events  of  yesterday — what 
had  been  said  to  me,  and  what  I  had  replied,  and  resolved  to  act  up 
to  the  pledge  I  had  given  in  my  speech,  and  to  endeavour  to  merit  the 
character  Talfourd  had  drawn  of  me.  Read  newspapers — the  quarrel 
between  Littleton  and  O'Connell,^  weakness  in  the  one  and  total  dis- 
regard of  punctilio  in  the  other.  Read  the  Observer  respecting  myself 
in  the  matter  of  Kean's  monument.  It  was  very  absurd — extremely 
ridiculous,  but  not  mischievous.  Saw  Captain  Williams,  who  told  me 
that  it  was  certain  Polhill  had  applied  to  Bunn  for  the  lease  of  Covent 
Garden,  which  he  refused  to  surrender.  At  Kenneth's,  where  I  went 
to  order  a  book  of  Sardanapalus,  I  met  Meadows  and  Cooper — suffer- 
ing from  the  effects  of  the  brandy  and  water  they  had  drunk  on  their 
way  home  from  Richmond,  where  they  played  last  night  for  Kean's 
monument — the  house  was  £44.  These  are  the  men  who  do  honour 
to  Mr.  Kean — laudari  a  laudatis!!!     I  was  so  disgusted  with  them 

*  Littleton,  without  the  authority  of  the  Cabinet,  had,  as  Chief  Secretary,  intimated  to 
O'Connell  that  certain  clauses  in  the  Coercion  liill  would  be  dropped.  A  majority  of  the 
Cabinet,  however,  decided  to  bring  in  the  Bill  in  its  integrity.  Consequently,  O'Connell 
considered  that  he  had  been  duped,  and  disclosed  his  interview  with  Littleton  to  the  House. 
Littleton  resigned,  and  Althorp,  who  was  personally  opposed  to  Coercion,  followed  his 
example.  Thereupon  Lord  Grey,  feeling  that  he  could  not  go  on  without  Althorp,  also 
resigned.  Althorp  was  induced  to  reconsider  his  resignation,  which  he  reluctantly  did,  and 
at  liis  instance  Littleton  was  reinstated.  Lord  Grey,  however,  finally  retired  from  official 
life,  and  was  succeeded  in  the  Premiership  by  Lord  Melbourne,  whose  administration  was 
ignominiously  dismissed  by  William  IV  in  the  following  November. 
1 60 


EDMUND    KEAN 

From  an  ewjvai-iog 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

that  I  fear  I  showed  them  great  coolness,  if  not  inciviHty.  I  could 
not  command  myself.  This  was  very  wrong.  One  ought  to  receive 
b — g — ds,  with  whom  necessity  compels  one  to  act,  as  b — g — ds  of 
course.  Called  on  R.  Price  and  settled  with  him  a  meeting  at  two 
o'clock  on  Tuesday  next  on  Mrs.  Siddons's  monument.  He  told  me 
that  he  had  acquainted  Forster  with  all  his  extravagances,  and  certainly 
had  been  of  service  to  him.  Called  on  Hay  ward  and  got  Miss 
Martineau's  address,  who  wished,  he  said,  to  see  me.  He  told  me 
that  C.  Kemble  ^  had  shown  himself  the  greatest  scoundrel  in  his 
behaviour  to  his  daughter  Fanny,  which  did  not  surprise  me. 

Elstree,  July  5th. — Enjoyed  the  beauty  of  the  morning  and  the 
sweetness  of  the  air  on  coming  down  into  the  garden  before  breakfast. 
The  country  was  delicious  from  its  contrast  with  the  few  days  of  town 
life  I  have  lately  had.  Answered  Mr.  Vining's  letter,  received  yester- 
day. I  was  amused  with  his  passing  from  "My  dear  Sir  "  to  "Dear 
Sir,"  which  shows  me  he  has  taken  offence  at  something.  The  style 
of  Fugglestone  is  that  of  all  players — we  are  a  vile  set.  I  answered 
him  as  before.  After  tea  I  read  through  the  whole  of  the  Maid*s 
Tragedy  once  more,  and  was  highly  gratified  with  much  of  its  excel- 
ling beauty  and  occasional  truth  to  nature ;  how  much  to  be  lamented 
that  it  should  be  disfigured  by  so  much  absurdity,  coarseness  and 
extravagance ! 

July  6th. — Walked  in  the  garden  before  breakfast,  enjoying  the 
freshness  of  the  flowers  and  foliage  after  the  rain.  Read  the  Examiner, 
which  as  usual  contains  more  clear  and  honest  reasoning  than  all  the 
rest  of  the  periodical  Press  together.  Sat  down  to  arrears  of  my 
record  of  which  I  finished  one  page  when  Dow  arrived,  and  made  me 
gossip  in  the  garden  and  my  study  until  the  time  for  afternoon  church. 
He  told  me  he  had  seen  Vandenhoff  in  Hamlet,  and  that  he  could  not 
sit  the  performance  through — that  he  was  coarse,  ill-bred  and  vehe- 
ment. He  also  mentioned  that  a  friend  of  his  had  questioned  Barnes  * 
as  to  the  depreciating  tone  of  the  Times  about  me,  and  that  he  had 
disavowed  any  unkind  feeling  towards  me,  adding  on  the  contrary  that 
he  entertained  a  high  opinion  of  me.  When  Dow  had  left  us  I  went 
to  afternoon  church,  where  I  read  a  little  Greek  Testament ;  saw  Miss 

*  Hayward  was  an  inveterate  scandal-monger,  and  his  statements  must  always  be  received 
with  a  considerable  amount  of  caution.  Kemble's  "  scoundrelly"  treatment  of  his  daughter 
consisted  in  his  making  the  most  of  her  earning  power  on  the  stage,  his  financial  affairs  being 
in  a  critical  condition.  He  was  warmly  attached  to  her,  as  she  was  to  him,  if  we  are  to  judge 
by  her  Records  of  a  Girlhood. 

»  Editor  of  the  Times  from  1817  to  1841. 

VOL.  I.  ^I  161 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

Munro,  and  chatted  with  Mr.  Chalk.  Returning  I  spent  an  idle  but 
very  pleasant  evening,  enjoying  the  delicious  temperature  and  looking 
through  Nattali's  catalogue,  while  Catherine  was  the  Minerva  of  my 
Ulyssean  locks,  and  my  darling  little  children  were  rolling  about  me. 
Must  not  let  another  day  thus  escape  me.  Read  prayers  to  the  servants 
and  family,  and  went  betimes  to  bed. 

July  8th. — Called  on  Warren ;  how  very  much  possessed  with  him- 
self he  is !  He  gave  me  a  pamphlet  he  had  written,  an  attack  on 
Brougham,  which  he  says  has  infuriated  the  Chancellor — ^like  Cleve- 
land, he  might  be  induced  to  hang  himself  if  he  discovered  that  it  was 
not  so.  He  told  me  a  very  shocking  story  of  a  baronet  and  his  wife, 
and  talked  much  on  his  own  kind  and  a  little  on  mine. 

July  10th. — Read  the  account  of  the  Ministerial  resignations. 
Waited  some  time  sauntering  by  the  river's  side,  and  at  last  got  a 
sight  of  the  Times.  The  deportment  and  tone  of  Lord  Grey  I 
thought  feeble,  and  unbecoming  a  proud  character — let  men  at  least 
be  so  far  consistent  as,  if  unwise  enough  to  show  pride  in  prosperous 
circumstances,  not  descend  to  betray  humiliation  in  adversity.  Lord 
Brougham,  I  think,  must  have  been  drunk  ^ — it  is  scarcely  possible  to 
imagine  anything  more  undignified.  Returned,  and  wrote  a  short 
letter  to  dear  Catherine.  Dressed  for  the  archery  meeting,  and  went 
with  B.  and  Mrs.  B.  in  the  pony  chaise  to  Danson ;  met  Miss  Johnson 
in  their  carriage  at  the  gate,  and  proceeded  in  it  to  North  Cray.  We 
were  received  by  a  knot  of  servants  in  a  very  handsome  hall  that  ran 
the  length  of  the  house,  and  presented  in  the  drawing-room  to  a 
pretty-looking,  waning  woman ;  one  side  of  the  room  was  occupied  by 
gaily  dressed  women,  and  I  got  into  a  window  looking  out  upon  the 
lawn  with  its  tents  and  archery  preparations,  and  chatted  with  Bourne. 
Mrs.  Wilkinson,  the  lady  of  the  house,  merely  received  me,  did  not 
speak  to  me,  and  I  wished  that  my  kind  friends  had  taken  me  to  a 
hovel  that  would  have  welcomed  me  rather  than  to  this  heartless  scene 
of  vanity  and  gaiety.    Without  Bourne  I  should  have  felt  the  solitude, 

^  Brougham  was  undoubtedly  given  to  "  deep  potations,"  under  the  influence  of  which 
he  frequently  spoke  and  acted.  On  one  occasion,  during  the  Reform  Bill  debates,  mulled 
port  led  him  to  indulge  in  some  amazing  antics  while  speaking  from  the  Woolsack.  This 
habit,  and  his  wild  eccentricities,  gave  rise  to  all  sorts  of  rumours  as  to  his  mental  condition, 
and  at  one  time  it  was  actually  reported  that  he  was  passing  the  long  vacation  in  the  seclusion 
of  a  private  lunatic  asylum.  Lord  Broughton,  in  his  Reminiscences,  records  an  extraordinary 
incident  of  Brougham's  circuit  days,  when  his  friends  found  it  necessary  to  seclude  the  future 
Chancellor  for  several  weeks.  His  conduct  at  times  certainly  suggested,  if  not  insanity,  an 
unregulated  intellect,  and  savoured  more  of  a  political  Suwarrow  than  of  the  Head  of  the 
Law  and  Keeper  of  the  King's  conscience. 
162 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

the  terrible  solitude,  of  finding  myself  alone  in  this  throng  of  strangers. 
We  soon  escaped  to  the  lawn,  and  after  an  introduction  to  Mr. 
Wilkinson,  began  to  shoot  for  exercise  or  trial.  The  scene  was  very 
animated :  three  stands  of  targets  were  fixed  on  an  elevated  turf 
terrace  of  the  lawn,  behind  which  were  two  tents,  and  hidden  among 
the  gardens  and  shrubberies  beyond  was  a  band  playing  occasional 
airs  through  the  day.  The  rain  interrupted  our  shooting  and  drove 
us  to  the  tents.  Whilst  here  Lord  Bexley  ^  arrived,  looking  good- 
natured  and  as  shallow  as  he  is  thought  to  be.  There  were  many 
members  of  the  Toxophilite  Club  in  their  uniform — among  them  Dan. 
Finch,  as  slovenly  and  vulgarly  looking  as  when  a  boy  at  Rugby ; 
Sir  Henry  Martin,  a  wizened  old  admiral,  with  three  Toxophilite  badges 
on  his  breast — one  medal  would  have  been  more  in  character  with  his 
profession.  He  shot  left-handed.  Young  Mr.  Haworth  also  was  there, 
with  whom  I  chatted  a  little  while,  and  two  or  three  whom  I  remem- 
bered at  Gillett's  party  five  years  ago.  After  a  little  more  shooting 
we  were  summoned  to  dinner  and  sat  down  to  a  cold  repast  with 
various  wines  but  little  enough  of  everything  from  want  of  attend- 
ance, and  the  attention  which  so  many  paid  exclusively  to  themselves. 
The  ladies  soon  left  the  room  in  which  we  were,  and  the  men  were 
soon  following,  when  called  back  by  some  one  telling  Sir  H.  Martin 
the  health  of  the  Toxophilite  Society  had  been  drunk,  which  was  not 
the  case,  but  nevertheless  the  old  man  returned  thanks.  The  match 
came  on,  and  the  prize  was  won  by  a  Mr.  Bernard,  the  ladies'  by  Miss 
Johnson  and  Mrs.  Bourne.  We  walked  about  the  grounds  with  the 
Johnsons,  who  were  all  there.  Got  some  tea  in  the  drawing-room, 
where  I  saw  and  chatted  with  young  Palmer  of  the  Garrick  Club ; 
looked  at  the  dancing,  which  was  very  bad,  promenaded  the  hall  and 
a  tent  fixed  outside  of  it ;  longed  for  ten,  and  at  last  got  home, 
sickened  and  tired. 

July  11th. — Rose  with  a  slight  cold  and  sensations  of  general 
uncomfortableness ;  packed  up  my  clothes  and  came  down,  having  for- 
gotten my  prayers,  which  I  remembered  as  I  knelt  down  with  the 
family  in  the  dining-room.  In  our  conversation  after  breakfast  Mrs. 
Bourne  mentioned  some  anecdotes  of  our  host  and  hostess  of  yester- 
day. She  is  a  silly  woman,  in  the  real  acceptation  of  the  term  ;  he,  Mr. 
Wilkinson  ^   (who  obtained  his  fortune  by  opening  his  pew-door  in 

^  The  ci-devant  Vansittart,  Lord  Liverpool's  puzzle-headed  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer 
and  Cobbett's  favourite  butt. 

*  Originally  a  Mr.  Green,  his  "  pew-door  "  acquaintnnce  being  a  Mr.  Wilkinson,  who 
endowed  him  in  the  manner  described.  He  then  Ijecame  Mr.  Green- Wilkinson,  and  the 
M  2  163 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1884 

church  to  an  elderly  gentleman ;  from  chance  an  acquaintance  sprang, 
which  ended  with  the  death  of  the  old  man,  and  the  bequest  of  his 

whole  fortune  to  Mr.  W )  seems  a  good-natured,  thoughtless  person ; 

his  first  morning's  employment  is  to  feed  his  canaries,  of  which  he 
keeps  a  great  number ;  he  then  shoots  with  the  bow  till  one,  rides  over 
to  Crayford  and  plays  at  chess  with  a  gentleman  there  till  five ;  rides 
home,  dresses,  goes  out  to  dinner,  talks  till  twelve,  and  has  not  time 
even  to  read  the  newspaper.    Walked  in  the  garden,  and  having  given 

a  gratuity  to  the  servant,  took  leave  of  Mrs.  B ,  who  gave  me  a  note 

for  Catherine,  and  went  down  the  village  with  B .     While  waiting 

for  the  coach  we  read  the  paper — no  Ministry  yet  settled  and  Brougham 
still  drunk ;  looked  at  the  trout ;  at  length  I  came  away,  and  arrived 
in  town  about  two  o'clock.  Took  a  cab  for  John  Birch's.  Met 
John  Morice,  Dr.  Moore  and,  I  suppose,  his  curate.  Saw  a  letter  from 
AVilliam  Birch — was  not  favourably  impressed  by  Dr.  Moore ;  he  seems 
to  me  consequential,  shallow  and  unprincipled.  I  call  every  churchman 
unprincipled  who  advocates  pluralities,  defends  or  palliates  non- 
residence,  and  asks  from  a  bishop  only  courteous  manners  and  good 
address — "  to  he  known  hy  his  works  "  is  avoAved  by  him  as  unnecessary 
to  the  calling.  He  asserts  much,  which  politeness  declines  contradict- 
ing, but  which  is  not  only  dogmatism,  but  falsehood  to  boot,  and  he 
is  a  popular  preacher — '*  Milton,  thou  shouldst  be  living  at  this  hour ; 
England  has  need  of  thee." 

London,  July  12th. — ^To  Garrick  Club,  where  I  met  S.  Price, 
Loudham,  Wallack,  Fladgate,  Harley,  Meadows,  etc.  Harley  expressed 
himself  much  disappointed  in  having  been  unable  to  attend  my  dinner, 
and  equally  so  at  the  proceedings  upon  Kean's  monument ;  to  which, 
Meadows  observed,  he  had  given  his  services,  but  certainly  should  not 
subscribe.  Called  at  Miller's  to  inquire  about  the  expense  of  publish- 
ing Lear;  learnt  that  it  would  cost  about  £20,  which  is  more  than  I 
can  afford ;  at  the  same  time  I  denied  the  title  of  the  Drury  Lane 
managers  to  Werner  as  acted ;  the  alterations  are  my  property.  Called 
on  Miss  Martineau  and  sat  with  her  about  twenty  minutes,  talking  of 
America  and  Miss  Wright,  whom  she  thought  very  shallow  and 
illogical.  She  wished  to  have  letters  with  the  power  of  delivering  them 
as  she  might  feel  convenient,  which  I  promised  to  send  her.  Went  to 
R.  Price's  chambers,  where  I  met  Willett  and  White  at  dinner.  We 
passed  a  pleasant  day,  and  proceeded  to  the  Victoria  Theatre,  to  see 

founder  of  a  family  that  by  dint  of  ample  means  and  auspicious  matches  won  a  considerable 
position  for  itself  in  the  social  world. 
164 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Charles  I.  The  play  is  wretchedly  constructed,  with  some  powerful 
scenes,  many  passages  of  power  and  considerable  effect  in  the  sketch  of 
Cromwell's  character,  which,  deserving  first-rate  support,  was  consigned 
to  the  murderous  hands  of  Mr.  Cathcart — a  very  poor  pretender 
indeed.  There  was  so  little  plot  in  it  that  I  could  not  remember  the 
order  of  the  scenes.  Some  German  musicians  afterwards  were  very  fair, 
and  some  Spanish  dancers  excellent. 

Elstree,  July  ISth. — Sent  Healey  with  the  bottle  of  Natchitocha 
snuff  to  Fladgate  at  the  Garrick  Club  to  be  prepared  for  Chantrey. 
Was  only  just  in  time  for  Billings's  coach.  On  my  study  table 
stood  Mr.  Lough's  Horses  of  Duncan  in  plaster,  with  a  note 
from  him  requesting  my  acceptance  of  them.  I  was  pleased  with 
the  gift  itself  and  the  estimation  in  which  the  giver  appeared  to 
hold  me. 

July  IMh. — To  my  great  surprise,  while  writing  in  my  study.  Bales 
announced  Mr.  Mathews,  and  ushered  in  Mathews  and  his  son  ;^  I 
should  as  soon  have  expected  the  Bishop  of  London.  He  told  me  he 
was  at  Cannons  Lodge,  and  had  come  over  to  see  me — admired  the 
prints,  apologized  for  his  absence  from  my  dinner,  explaining  it,  etc. 
(but  he  would  not  have  been  there  had  all  been  otherwise  than  he  says 
it  was) — ^there  were  ladies  in  the  carriage  at  the  door,  whom  I 
invited  in,  but  Catherine's  indisposition  caused  him  to  decline ;  going 
he  told  me  he  should  sail  for  America  next  month,  and  take  Mrs. 
Mathews  with  him — there  must  be  a  dire  necessity  to  cause  this.  They 
left  me  perfectly  surprised  and  very  much  amused  by  so  unexpected  a 
visit ;  I  am  suspicious  enough  to  think  it  has  a  motive  which  I  shall 
know  before  the  end  of  next  month. 

July  ISth. — In  the  afternoon  I  received  a  parcel,  containing  a  note 
from  Ml".  Bunn,  wishing  me  to  open  the  theatre  and  perform  Manfred^ 
postponing  for  that  purpose  my  Dublin  engagement.  I  do  not  like 
the  thought  of  this,  as  I  see  no  chance  for  the  success  of  Manfred — 
it  is,  as  I  observed,  not  a  monodrame,  but  a  monologue;  splendid  as 
the  poetry  is,  it  is  not  at  all  dramatic. 

July  19th. — Received  a  letter  from  Sheil  enclosing  franks  and  the 
expression  of  his  regret  at  not  having  seen  me,  and  one  from  Knowles, 
asking  me  to  act  Alfred  for  his  benefit  on  Monday  28th  at  the  Victoria 
Theatre.  Came  downstairs,  and  answered  Mr.  Bunn's  letter,  exposing 
the  impracticability  of  my  studying  Manfred  before  my  visit  to  Dublin. 
After  breakfast  sat  down  to  answer  Knowles ;  I  confess,  though  it  is 

^  The  two  gifted  actors  ;  the  elder- Mathews  died  in  the  following  yenr. 

i6s 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

a  great  inconvenience  and  I  feel  it  rather  a  descent  to  play  at  the 
Victoria,  yet  I  am  gratified  in  receiving  this  application  from  him ;  it 
is  the  best  rebuke  I  can  give  to  his  avoidance  of  me,  his  coldness  to 
me,  and  his  omission  to  do  me  the  common  justice  of  contradicting  the 
paragraph  in  the  Morning  Chronicle ^  as  also  the  behaviour  of  his  wife 
and  daughter  to  me.  I  answered  him  in  the  kindest  tone,  assenting 
to  his  wish.  Finished  completely  the  arrangement  of  the  Maid^s 
Tragedy,  which  I  think  is  improved.  Began  to  put  Sardanapalus  in 
acting  form.  While  waiting  for  Calcraft  took  up  Feilding's  Amelia, 
and  was  pleased  with  much  of  the  story,  but  more  with  the  happy 
maxims  and  excellent  counsel  with  which  it  abounds. 

July  21st. — My  dear  Daughter  Catherine  Frances  Birch  born.^ 
Thanks  and  blessings  on  the  name  of  God ! 

July  ^isth. — For  exercise  walked  down  to  the  reservoir  with 
Willie  and  the  dogs ;  am  much  concerned  to  observe  my  dear  boy's 
timidity,  so  different  from  the  spirit  he  used  to  show.  I  must  set 
myself  to  cure  it,  for  his  own  happiness'  sake.  He  continued  his 
morning  walk  with  Nina  and  the  servant,  whilst  I  returned  home,  and 
entered  yesterday's  record.  Found  letters  from  Jonathan  Birch,  con- 
gratulating me,  and  from  Calcraft,  informing  me  that  his  brother-in- 
law,  but  married  on  Sunday  last,  had  died  in  thirteen  hours  of  cholera, 
and  that  he  had  his  funeral  expenses  to  defray — requesting  the  loan 
of  £25.  Read  the  newspaper,  and  think  Lord  Brougham  cannot  long 
continue  Chancellor.* 

July  9,5th. — Coming  down  I  heard  dear  Nina  her  lesson,  in 
which,  though  with  many  attempts  to  control  myself,  I  grew  im- 
patient and  spoke  with  temper.  This  is  without  qualification  wrong; 
it  is  the  business  of  parents  to  endure  the  levity  and  inattention  of 
these  dear  creatures,  and  be  contented  to  assure  themselves  that  a 
patient  repetition  of  the  often  forgotten  or  unheeded  precept  insures 
for  it  a  permanent  place  in  the  memory  at  last.     Children  should  be 

^  Died  and  was  buried  at  sea  on  her  voyage  from  Madeira,  March  24,  1869.  She  was 
the  author  of  some  very  lender  and  beautiful  poems  published  under  the  title  of  Leaves  from 
the  Olive  Motint  (i860),  Cowl  and  Cap  (1865),  and  Devotional  Zaj'j  (1868).  Enjoying  a  large 
share  of  imaginative  capacity,  she  was  a  person  of  warm  and  enthusiastic  affection  which  was 
amply  returned  by  those  who  knew  her ;  and  she  inherited  much  of  her  father's  artistic 
temperament.  Her  devoted  ministrations  among  the  poor  during  the  time  of  Macready's 
residence  at  Cheltenham  will  be  long  remembered  there  {note  by  Sir  F.  Pollock). 

*  He  was  turned  out  with  the  rest  of  the  Ministry  by  William  IV  four  months  later, 
and  never  held  office  of  any  description  again  for  the  remaining  thirty-four  years  of  his 
life,  during  which  (to  borrow  Canning's  expressive  phrase)  he  "pounded  and  mashed"  both 
friend  and  foe  with  impartial  savagery. 

166 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

lured  to  knowledge,  until  its  acquisition,  like  that  of  meaner  gain, 
creates  a  passion  for  its  increase.  I  hope  to  be  more  circumspect. 
Read  through  Major  Crosse's  play  of  the  Cid — a  translation,  I  believe, 
from  Lope  de  Vega — if  so,  I  have  no  great  opinion  of  the  dramatic 
literature  of  Spain ;  the  original,  I  doubt  not,  contains  poetry,  high 
sentiment  and  some  passion,  but  is  utterly  deficient  in  construction  and 
situation — the  climax  of  action.  Gave  the  rest  of  my  day  to  the 
wearying,  slow  and  unimproving  task  of  preparing  my  acting  copy  of 
King  Lear  even  to  the  last  hour  of  evening. 

July  26th. — Rose  somewhat  earlier  this  morning,  and  on  coming 
down  walked  through  the  fields  to  the  back  of  the  village  with  my 
darling  children,  taking  the  dogs  with  us.  The  feeling  of  health, 
resulting  from  the  temperance  of  my  life  for  the  last  week,  uniting  with 
the  beauty  of  the  scenery,  the  freshness  of  the  morning,  and  above  all 
the  sight  of  my  precious  children  made  me  think  myself  peculiarly 
blessed — not  so  much  in  those  dear  gifts  of  God  which  are  common 
to  our  nature,  as  in  the  power  of  appreciating  them,  and  in  the  tran- 
quillizing turn  of  mind  that  referred  them  to  an  indulgent  and  merciful 
Creator.  We  returned  home  very  wet ;  and  I  received  a  letter  from 
Calcraft,  enclosing  the  opinions  of  Pennefather  ^  and  Creighton  on  the 
case  of  Bunn's  liability  for  his  Irish  debts;  they  are  too  vague  for  me 
to  trust,  but  they  may  be  of  use  to  me.  Read  the  newspaper,  in  which, 
bating  the  violence,  I  was  not  sorry  to  read  the  reception  of  the 
apostate  Hobhouse  ^  at  Nottingham,  where,  however,  the  Whig  purity 
will  return  him ;  nor  gratified  in  seeing  a  man  like  Brougham  precipitat- 
ing himself  so  rapidly  and  disgracefully  to  the  ruin  of  his  reputation. 
Heard  my  Nina  part  of  her  lesson,  and  with  great  cheerfulness  and 
kindness ;  she  did  very  well.  Read  and  practised,  not  indolently, 
Milton — King  Lear — Melantius — and  Virginius  for  about  three  hours 
and  a  quarter — and  truly  gratified  did  I  feel  in  the  consciousness  of 
having  discharged  a  duty. 

July  21  th. — Went  to  afternoon  service,  where  I  was  made  impatient 
of  the  unprofitable  stuff  that  is  served  out  to  hungry  minds  from  the 
pulpit — citing  the  book  of  Revelation,  and  declaring  that  the  com- 
mandments were  "  written  on  tables  of  stone  by  the  finger  of  the 
Almighty."  Letitia  made  a  very  good  observation  on  this,  viz.  that 
churchmen  who  used  such  language  were  not  justified  in  abusing  the 

^  Edward  Pennefather  (1774-1847),  afterwards  Irish  Lord  Chief  Justice. 
^  John  Cam  Hobhouse,  afterwards  Lord  Broughton  (see  note,  p.  19).    In  his  Recollections 
of  a  Long  Life  he  clearly  indicates  a  candidate's  indispensable  modus  operandi  at  Nottingham- 

167 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

Roman  Catholic  artists  for  introducing  as  a  person  that  Incompre- 
hensible Spirit  of  Life  and  Virtue,  since  their  conception  of  his 
attributes  were  equally  limited. 

July  S>8th. — Knowles's  benefit  at  the  Victoria.  On  my  way  to  the 
Victoria  Theatre  called  at  Drury  Lane  and  sent  for  Palmer  about  my 
clothes.  At  the  Victoria  Theatre,  saw  Broad,  Knowles,  Liston, 
Abbott,  Miss  Jarman,  etc.,  applied  to  by  Abbott  to  engage.  On  the 
way  there  called  on  Forster,  who  told  me  that  the  idea  of  the  applica- 
tion to  me  originated  with  himself — explained  to  me  how  very  gratefully 
Knowles  expressed  himself.  Returned  (in  company  with  Forster  over 
the  bridge)  to  chambers  to  dine,  and  lay  out  my  clothes,  which  I  gave 
to  Palmer,  who  called  just  in  time  to  take  them.  My  dressing-room 
was  more  inconvenient  and  ill-appointed  than  many  provincial  ones, 
and  when  I  went  on  the  stage  I  found  the  wings  literally  choked  up 
with  people.  I  was  rather  inclined  to  be  out  of  temper  with  this,  but 
soon  recollected  myself,  and  acted  as  well  as  I  could — much  of  the 
character,  Virginius,  very  well — really  and  with  heart.  My  reception 
was  most  enthusiastic — certainly  the  most  of  any  that  appeared.  At 
the  end  I  was  called  for,  but  declined  going  on  and  went  to  undress. 
In  consequence  of  the  continued  clamour  Abbott  promised  that  I  should 
appear  at  the  end  of  the  farce.  Saw  Sarah  Garrick,  and  begged  her 
to  remember  me  to  her  mother — '*  Eheu  !  fugaces,  Postume."    Captain 

Williams,  Dance,  Price,  Forster,  Jerdan,  Egerton  and  Mr.  E came 

into  my  room,  and  generally  expressed  their  feeling  of  my  coming 
forward  on  this  occasion  of  Knowles's  farewell  benefit.  Abbot  dis- 
tressed me  with  importunities,  on  personal  grounds  particularly,  to 
engage  for  a  few  nights.  I  good-naturedly  but  firmly  resisted,  and 
I  was  right  in  doing  so — how  satisfactory  it  is  to  be  able  to  say  that  to 
oneself  on  any  occasion !  Went  on  the  stage,  or  was  rather  pulled 
on  by  Knowles — the  applause  was  tumultuous — I  bowed  and  retired. 
Knowles  made  his  speech,  in  some  instances  ludicrously  familiar,  but 
from  its  earnestness  and  from  the  occasion  deeply  interesting  the 
audience.  He  pronounced  an  enthusiastic  eulogium  on  me,  and  denied 
the  assertion  that  I  had  instigated  him  to  write  or  heighten  characters 
for  myself.  This  was  but  an  act  of  justice — tardy,  perhaps,  but  still 
justice,  and  therefore  obliterates  offence. 

July  ^9th. — Mr.  Palmer,  a  sculptor — soi-disant — called,  requesting 

I  would  submit  to  having  a  cast  taken  for  him  to  make  a  marble  bust, 

which  he  hoped  would  bring  him  business — I  could  not  refuse,  though 

detesting  the  idea  of  the  operation.     Called  at  Garrick  Club,  where  I 

i68 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF  M  ACRE  AD  Y 

saw  the  ghost  of  C.  Kemble  under  a  dark  peruke.  I  did  not  envy  him 
his  gains,  character  or  feelings — ^he  is  sordidly  base.  Saw  the  papers, 
of  which  the  Times  was,  of  course,  the  coolest,  or  perhaps  more 
correctly  studiously  cold  to  me,  directly  contrary  to  the  others.  Went 
to  Cartwright,^  who  was  glad  to  see  me,  and  whose  reputation  alone 
supported  my  trembling  conjfidence  that  he  would  not  pull  the  teeth 
out  of  my  head.  I  engaged  to  revisit  his  terrible  room  on  this  day 
fortnight,  and  after  another  operation  to  dine  with  him.  He  has  some 
beautiful  specimens  of  art  and  interesting  curiosities.  I  forced  him 
to  take  £5,  but  he  made  me  promise  not  to  repeat  the  infliction. 
To  the  Garrick  Club.  Dined  ;  Thackeray,  Fladgate,  Price,  Keene  came 
in  for  a  short  time.  Knowles  made  his  appearance  as  I  was  taking  my 
wine.  I  asked  for  a  pint  of  claret,  which  we  drank  together  and  came 
to  a  mutual  explanation — his  motive  for  not  doing  me  the  justice  of 
contradicting  the  falsehood  in  the  M.  Chronicle  was  that  I  was  high 
upon  it — this  is  not  an  excuse,  but  I  believe  he  feels  that  he  has  not 
done  me  justice,  and  I  cancel  all.  I  took  leave  of  him,  and  sat  with  James 
Smith  nearly  an  hour  and  a  half  in  the  drawing-room  very  agreeably. 

July  SOth. — Before  I  rose  I  read  the  first  part  of  Philip  Van  Arte- 
velde,  which  I  had  begun  last  night,  and  laid  down  a  little  before  those 
kind  of  southern  rains  came  pouring  out  of  the  heavens  like  thunder  on 
the  deep  rush  of  the  wind — it  was  indeed  "  densissimus  imber."  This 
dramatic  poem,  VanArtevelde,  pleased  me  very  much  :  profound  thought 
displayed  in  the  happiest  adornings  of  fancy,  and  excellent  ideas  of 
discriminated  character,  if  the  persons  are  not  sufficiently  individualized 
by  their  language.  The  description  of  Ukenheim  and  his  dead  children 
affected  me  very  much — I  am  greatly  pleased  with  what  I  have  read. 

July  Slst. — At  about  half-past  five  I  took  up  the  second  volume  of 
Philip  Van  Arteveldey  in  which  I  had  made  little  progress  last  night, 
and  read  until  past  seven ;  I  was,  and  am  possessed  with  the  book — I 
think  there  is  affectation  in  the  unrequired  coinage  of  words  which 
distinguishes  the  poem,  and  occasional  obscurity,  but  there  is  so  much 
truth,  philosophy,  poetry  and  beauty,  combined  with  passion  and 
descriptive  power  of  no  ordinary  character,  that  I  was  obliged  to  force 

^  See  note,  p.  32.  Even  Cartwright  was  not  infallible.  On  one  occasion  he  proceeded 
to  extract  a  tooth  which  the  patient  declared  was  the  wrong  one.  Cartwright  insisted  to  the 
contrary,  and  applied  the  fatal  forceps ;  the  patient,  in  a  frenzy  of  desperation,  sprang  from 
the  chair,  but  the  dentist  still  maintained  his  grip  ;  a  struggle  ensued  in  which  they  both  fell 
on  the  floor  ;  finally  the  dentist  proved  victorious,  and  exultingly  flourished  "the  bone  of 
contention."  His  triumph,  however,  was  short-lived  ;  the  hapless  patient  was  right ;  a  good 
sound  molar  had  disappeared,  but  the  aching  one  remained  ! 

169 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

myself  to  lay  the  book  down.  On  coming  down  I  heard  dear  Nina 
her  lesson,  and  gave  her  some  toys,  which  quite  charmed  her.  Resmned 
my  slowly  advancing  work  upon  the  prompt-book  of  King  Lear,  and 
am  more  reconciled  to  expending  my  time  on  these  or  any  other  of 
Shakspeare's  works  than  on  all  the  Sardanapaluses  that  ever  were 
written.  In  the  course  of  the  morning  some  ideas  on  the  part  of 
Melantius  entered  my  head,  which  led  me  to  think  farther  on  it,  and 
to  encourage  a  more  sanguine  expectation  on  the  success  of  the 
character  than  I  have  yet  ventured  to  entertain.  Sainton  ^  arrived, 
and  after  resting  and  repairing  himself,  accompanied  me  to  the 
drawing-room,  where  I  beguiled  the  tediousness  of  the  operation  of 
sitting  for  a  portrait  with  the  remainder  of  the  volume  of  Van  Arte- 
velde,  which  I  think  the  work  of  a  master  spirit,  whose  politics  I  fear 
are  strictly  Tory.* 

August  3rd. — My  vanity,  or  avidity  for  notice  or  praise,  which  I 
see  is  a  weakness,  or  more  properly  a  folly,  entailing  uneasy  hopes  and 
doubtings,  and  perhaps  occasionally  mortification,  received  a  check  this 
morning  which  I  hope  will  prove  a  wholesome  one.  In  the  expectation 
(for  so  it  must  have  been,  though  I  never  whispered  it  to  myself)  of 
reading  enconiums  on  my  acting  and  my  friendly  conduct  to  Knowles, 
I  sent  for  the  Spectator  and  the  Athenseum;  they  arrived  this  morning, 
with  not  one  word  of  the  Victoria  Theatre,  and  in  the  Examiner,  which 
gave  a  short  article  to  Knowles,  my  name  was  not  mentioned.  I  was 
really  not  at  all  displeased  at  this,  for  I  thought  it  a  very  mild  and 
good  lesson. 

August  Mh. — In  bed  I  finished  the  first  part  of  Wallenstein,  and 
rising  in  good  time,  walked  round  the  garden  to  enjoy  the  freshness  of 
the  morning.  Heard  Nina  the  chief  part  of  her  lesson  before  break- 
fast, and  immediately  after,  having  seen  and  inquired  after  Catherine, 
began  my  morning's  study  of  King  Lear.  I  was  interrupted  by  the 
arrival  of  a  Mr.  Palmer  (whom  I  had  entirely  forgotten)  come  to  take 
a  plaster  cast  of  my  face;  I  lost  as  little  time  as  I  could  help,  and 
found  the  operation  not  so  formidably  uncomfortable  as  I  had  been 
led  to  expect.    The  artists,  whom  Catherine  declares  to  be  image-men, 

^  A  portrait-painter  who  had  asked  Macready  to  sit  to  him, 

'  The  author  was  Henry,  afterwards  Sir  Henry  Taylor  (1800-1886);  a  Colonial  Office 
official,  to  whom  the  poem  brought  well-merited  fame,  though  it  failed  as  a  play  when  adapted 
and  produced  by  Macready  in  1847.  Sir  Henry  Taylor  was  "strictly  Tory"  to  the  extent 
of  opposing  the  abolition  of  the  Slave  Trade  and  of  supporting  Governor  Ejrre,  but  he  was 
an  official  of  marked  ability  and  statesmanlike  views,  and  one  of  the  most  cultured  and 
accomplished  men  of  letters  of  his  day. 
170 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

were  dismissed  with  a  good  luncheon,  and  I  was  left  to  Shakspeare 
and  Fletcher  again.  I  pursued  my  practice  and  reading  until  dinner. 
I  was  obliged  to  punish  my  dear  Willie  for  obstinacy  and  ill-temper. 
I  love  these  children  so  fondly  that  I  must  be  cautious  lest  my  affection 
lead  me  into  extreme  indulgence  which  can  only  terminate  in  their 
unhappiness  and  my  own  bitter  self-reproach. 

August  8th. — Received  letters  from  T.  Arnold,  inquiring  after  his 
play;  from  Abbott,  asking  me  to  act  Virginius  at  the  Opera  House 
on  Monday,  18th  inst. ;  from  Edmund  Elliston,  asking  the  same  favour 
from  me  at  the  Surrey  Theatre.  I  replied  to  Arnold  that  I  had  sent 
in  his  play,  to  Abbott  that  I  would  play,  though  it  is  very  incon- 
venient, to  Elliston  that  I  could  not.  I  do  not  know  him,  and  only 
knew  his  father  as  a  foolish  and  unprincipled  man,  who  cheated  me 
where  he  could. ^ 

August  10th. — In  the  Examiner  read  a  long  extract  from  a  tale 
of  Crabbe's — which  was  of  power  to  draw  the  waters  from  my  eyes, 
though  I  do  not  like  his  style ;  it  is  to  my  sense  hard  and  laboured. 
Thought  upon  Winkelman's  life,  and  the  value  of  such  biographies  to 
give  us  experience,  and  turn  our  eyes  in  upon  ourselves.  How  many, 
unconsciously,  believe  the  world  to  be  interested  in  their  proceedings, 
and  chafed  about  circumstances,  which  are  scarcely  known,  perhaps, 
beyond  our  own  acquaintance,  and  never  thought  of  even  by  them. 
Self  is  such  an  immense  object  in  every  man's  eye,  and  such  a  little 
dim  shadow  to  his  neighbour's,  that  it  is  surprising  there  are  not  more 
instances  of  human  vanity  on  record  than  there  are — but  there  are 
enough,  and  we  all  swell  the  list.  Resumed  the  ennuyant  employment 
of  marking  book  of  King  Lear,  and  by  dint  of  perseverance  finished 
the  third  act. 

August  11th. — Rose  in  good  time  this  morning,  in  the  hope  that 
I  might  get  the  start  of  the  troublesome  task  of  making  up  my  prompt- 
book of  Lear,  and  immediately  sat  down  to  my  desk  on  my  coming 
downstairs.  In  musing  on  various  things,  and  forcing  my  thoughts 
on  my  profession,  the  account  of  Mrs.  Siddons's  nervousness  on  first 
appearing  before  Queen  Charlotte  recurred  to  me ;  and  in  the  con- 
fidence she  endeavoured  to  regain  by  the  thought  that  she  had  often 
acted  Queens  I  thought  she  gave  an  unconscious  testimony  to  her 
identification  of  herself  with  the  characters  she  represented. 

August  l^th. — Read  Corneille's  Cinna,  or  part  of  it,  on  my  way 

^  The  well-known  actor  and  manager  (1774-1831)  ;  if  Oxberry  is  to  be  credited,  he 
certainly  deserved  Macready's  severe  reprobation. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

to  town — in  which  I  saw  many  lines  worth  extracting.  I  was  not  in 
a  mood  to  do  anything,  and  felt  that  Forster's  call  would  be  a  relief 
to  me ;  he  did  call,  and  told  me  that  Mr.  Bunn  had  engaged  Mr.  C. 
Kemble  and  Mr.  Vandenhoff.  This  was  not  news  to  exhilarate  me ; 
and,  indeed,  it  sunk  deeply  upon  my  mind.  I  did  what  I  thought  to 
be  the  best,  and  if  I  could  not  see  what  would  be  the  best,  it  was 
not  my  fault.     How  uncertain  are  the  issues  of  our  own  precaution ! 

August  15th. — Laboured  at  Hamlet,  in  which  I  found  great  diffi- 
culty in  coming  within  sight  of  my  own  meaning ;  touched  one  short 
scene  of  Lear  and  worked  unavailingly  at  Melantius,  which  grows 
harder  as  I  grapple  more  closely  with  it;  but  this  will  grow  easier. 
Read  a  letter  from   Angelo,   the  fencing  master,   applying   for  my 

subscription — poor  fellow !  he  has  wrung  my  wrists  and  I  have  d d 

him  for  an  old  rascal,  little  dreaming  of  our  reversed  situations.  After 
dinner  went  into  the  garden  and  gave  a  bone  to  old  Tip,  which  choked 
him ;  the  poor  old  dog  lay  down  and  foamed ;  I  did  not  know  whether 
he  was  going  mad  or  dying ;  I  patted  him  and  smoothed  his  throat  and 
called  Phillips,  hurrying  away  the  children.  Phillips  very  cleverly 
poked  a  rope  down  his  throat,  and  the  old  dog  stood  up,  looking  very 
uncomfortable,  but  relieved  from  his  misery. 

August  11th. — Went  to  afternoon  church,  and  slept  through  Dr. 
Morris's  sermon.  He,  too,  left  out  the  second  collect ! — he  did  not 
know  what  he  was  about.  To  my  horror,  returning  home  with  Mr. 
C.  Monro,  the  figure  of  Gaspey  stood  like  the  dreadful  reality  of 
vulgarity  before  me,  and  I  had  to  summon  all  my  presence  of  mind  to 
stand  the  encounter.  I  cannot  do  these  things  well ;  I  seized  the 
occasion  to  persevere  in  my  resolve  of  visiting  Arnold,  and  after  making 

my  salaam  to  Miss  G ,  had  the  dog  loosed,  and,  when  I  could  get 

I^uath  to  follow,  set  off  with  my  little  vulgar  friend  across  the  fields. 
Arnold  received  us  very  cordially,  and  I  made  a  slight  second  dinner 
with  him.  His  daughter  and  son-in-law  were  there;  we  were  very 
good-humoured,  and  he  seemed  pleased  that  I  had  come.  Returning, 
we  went  out  of  his  back  door  for  a  short  cut,  and,  losing  our  way, 
rambled  over  deep  grass  fields  till  we  got  close  to  Elstree,  Gaspey 
frightened  at  the  trees,  mistaking  them  for  men,  and  persuading 
himself  that  there  was  no  cause  for  fear. 

August  18th. — Came  to  town  by  Billings',  endeavouring  to  think 

over  Virginius  for  the  evening.    Went  to  theatre ;  incommoded  by  the 

size  of  the  house  (the  Opera  House).     In  the  second  scene,  as  I  stood 

at  the  wing,  I  saw  Grisi  in  the  opposite  box ;  rallied,  and  played  very 

172 


1834]  THE  DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

fairly.  The  house  was  much  moved,  and  called  for  me.  After  a  time 
I  went  on,  and  was  greatly  received.  When  dressed,  I  asked  Abbott 
to  say  to  Grisi  that  I  wished  to  be  presented  to  her  (she  had  expressed 
herself  delighted  with  the  play),  and  on  her  saying  she  should  be 
delighted  to  make  my  acquaintance  I  went  into  her  room  and  sat  with 
her  some  time.  Lord  Worcester  came  in,  and  after  a  time  I  went  to 
go  with  Forster  to  see  Miss  Landon,^  who  had  been  in  the  boxes.  I 
sat  with  her  and  two  other  nice  girls  till  past  twelve — Jerdan  was  in  the 
box.  Saw  Grisi's  last  scene  of  Anna  Bolena,  which  was  very  fine. 
Went  home  and  got  some  tea  as  I  looked  over  my  bound  book  of 
Lear,  which  pleased  me  very  much. 

August  23rd. — Turned  over  the  leaves  of  the  Connection  of  the 
Sciences,  by  that  wonderful  woman,  Mrs.  Somerville,^  which  she  has 

dedicated  to  that  wretched  piece  of  hired  inanity, .     Why  did  she 

not  honour  the  honourable  by  inscribing  such  a  work  to  them — to  the 
good — the  learned  or  the  wise — the  only  truly  great  ?  It  is  sickening 
to  see  real  greatness  grovelling  before  a  gilded  puppet,  tricked  out  in 
tinsel  and  feathers  for  a  stupid  blow ;  it  is  really  disgusting. 

August  24th. — The  servant  had  told  me  that  poor  old  Tip  would 
not  touch  any  food  this  afternoon,  that  he  had  drunk  a  little  milk  in 
the  morning,  but  was  now  much  worse.  The  rain  was  over,  and  I  went 
down  to  look  at  him,  thinking  to  myself  it  would  be  probably  for  the 
last  time  I  should  see  him  alive.  Phillips  was  looking  over  the  palings 
of  the  first  yard  (why,  I  do  not  know),  and,  seeing  me,  came  forward 
to  tell  me  that  he  thought  Tip  was  dead ;  I  was  quite  grieved ;  went  to 
see  the  poor  old  dog,  who  lay  stretched  out.  It  is  very  mournful 
to  think  I  shall  never  see  the  fine  creature  rolling  about  and  coming  to 
be  caressed  again.  He  makes  a  gap  in  my  affections,  for  I  was  fond 
of  the  creature,  and  associate  his  idea  with  many  scenes  of  pleasure 
and  of  happiness.  He  is  in  every  way  a  loss  to  me.  I  can  fully 
sympathize  with  the  poor  old  man  in  Sterne's  pathetic  scene  of  the 
dead  ass. 

August  25t/i. — Went  in  the  carriage,  which  is  now  very  shabby, 
to  Richmond ;  saw  no  scenery  more  beautiful  there  than  the  views  I 
left  behind,  particularly  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Harrow  Weald.  On 
my  way,  went  over  fourth  part  of  fifth  act  of  Melantius,  Arrived 
before  eleven,  and  was  obliged  to  wait  in  the  theatre  and  on  the  green, 

^  Letitia  Elizabeth  Landon  (1802-1838),  the  poetess,  who  wrote  under  the  initials 
"  L.  E.  L." 

2  Mary  Somerville  (1780-1872),  the  distinguished  scientist. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

to  catch  a  little  sunshine  until  twelve  o'clock.  Saw  Farren,  Mrs. 
Faucit,  and  two  children  of  theirs — emblazoned  in  the  most  unblushing 
manner.*  The  effrontery  of  this  connection  makes  it  extraordinarily 
disgusting.  My  rehearsal  let  me  into  a  dreadful  catalogue  of  woes  to 
come — the  company  was  fearful,  and  Thompson  shone  among  them 
like  a  protecting  angel.  He  walked  with  me  along  the  river's  banks 
to  show  me  the  way  to  Kew,  which  I  found  a  tough  walk ;  the  scenery 
pretty,  but  luckily  I  prefer  the  character  of  our  own.  Captain 
Williams  came  out  to  meet  me,  and  with  his  wife,  a  nice  little  woman, 
gave  me  a  very  hospitable  reception,  a  very  good  dinner  and  excellent 
wine,  in  company  with  Jerdan  and  Mr.  Barham.  I  waited  till  the  last 
moment  for  a  fly,  that  had  been  sent  for  to  take  Mrs.  Williams,  party 
and  self  to  Richmond,  and  was  obliged  to  take  a  boat,  which  Captain 

W engaged  for  me  at  the  Bridge,  and  away  I  went  with  a  bad 

headache,  the  fear  of  cold,  and  anticipation  of  being  late.  We  passed 
three  steamboats,  on  one  of  which  a  party  was  dancing.  Old  Thames 
must  have  been  astonished !  I  arrived  and  dressed  in  time,  and  played 
as  well  as  I  could  (not  well)  with  such  a  company,  and  in  so  small  a 

theatre.      Took   Jerdan,    Captain   and   Mrs.    W back   to   Kew, 

resisted  their  entreaties  to  take  supper,  slept  along  the  road,  and 
reached  home  in  good  time. 

August  26th. — Walked  in  the  garden,  and  brought  Luath  out  of 
the  yard,  where  she  seemed  quite  lonely  and  out  of  spirits,  I  suppose 
from  the  loss  of  her  poor  old  companion.  After  dinner  I  took  the 
children  (the  dear  children !)  with  me  to  the  farmyard  to  feed  Luath, 
and  afterwards  walked  down  with  them  and  Catherine  to  the  reservoir. 
Before  I  went  I  had  marked  out  the  place  for  poor  Tip's  grave,  and 
saw  him  laid  in  it  and  covered  over.  His  loss  is  quite  felt  by  us  all, 
and  it  will  be  long  before  I  shall  forget  him  in  the  pleasure  I  have  in 
looking  around  my  home.  On  coming  to  it,  I  read  Coleridge's  beautiful 
poem  of  Christahelf  and  really  was  annoyed  at  finding  it  only  a  frag- 
ment— the  lines  on  the  ancient  quarrel  between  Sir  Leoline  and  Sir 
Vaux,  which  Talfourd  is  so  fond  of,  are  perfectly  beautiful. 

August  21th. — Rose  with  the  feeling  that  this  is  the  last  day  for 
many  to  come  that  I  shall  have  the  happiness  of  being  with  my  beloved 
wife  and  children.  On  coming  down,  went  into  the  garden,  and  looked 
at  Luath  ;  after  breakfast,  read  over  the  whole  of  the  character  of  Lear, 
occasionally  attending  to  dear  Nina  and  Willie  in  their  lessons.  After 
dinner,  read  Mrs.  Austin's  ^  translation  of  the  Story  without  an  End, 

'  See  note,  p.  23.  »  See  note,  p.  153. 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

which,  in  defiance  of  the  numerous  puffs  I  have  read  upon  the  book, 
I  think  a  most  unmeaning  piece  of  mystification,  and  wonder  at  a 
sensible  woman  thinking  it  worth  transplanting  from  Germany.  As 
Coleridge  said  of  Klopstock,  when  some  one  spoke  of  him  as  a  German 
Milton,  "Yes,  a  very  German  Milton."  One  might  call  this  book  a 
tale  of  "very  German  "  simplicity;  the  embellishments  are  beautiful. 

August  29t/i. — Went  in  a  chaise  to  Richmond,  reading  as  I  could 
the  play  of  the  night,  King  hear,  on  my  way ;  I  did  not  feel  well,  nor 
was  I  in  the  best  spirits ;  the  ride  was  very  beautiful  in  village  scenes 
over  the  Hammersmith  Suspension  Bridge.  The  rehearsal  was  most 
disgraceful ;  the  persons  put  into  the  characters  below  contempt.  Mr. 
Thompson  no  jot  exalted  above  the  rest,  and  all  imperfect — Messrs. 
Thompson  and  Lee  restoring  the  beautiful  diction  of  Tate !  I  saw 
Montague,  once  a  very  decent  actor  in  the  Bath  Theatre ;  now  a  cripple, 
hobbling  on  crutches,  but  in  excellent  spirits !  The  person  that  played 
Gloster — one  of  those  idle  men  who  give  a  character  of  baseness  to  an 
art  by  attaching  themselves  to  those  who  cultivate  it — would  have  been 
rude  if  I  had  furnished  him  with  opportunity.  He  was  quite  disposed 
to  resent  my  desire  that  he  would  use  "  no  action  "  in  my  most  par- 
ticular speech  to  him.  These  are  the  tools  I  have  to  work  with ;  how 
can  clean  hands  escape  soil  by  contact  with  such  ?  The  rain  would  not 
allow  me  to  walk  to  the  bottom  of  the  lane.  A  chop  was  sent  from 
a  tavern  to  the  room  I  occupied  in  the  theatre,  where  I  slept  out  the 
afternoon.  I  had  a  silly  sort  of  note  from  old  Angelo,  who  appears 
to  me  a  model  of  a  "dust."  Acted  but  tolerably  King  Lear,  being 
distressed  and  harassed  beyond  measure  by  the  imperfect  state  of  the 
actors.  Mr.  Twining  came  into  my  room  afterwards,  lamenting  the 
want  of  support  under  which  I  laboured.     I  was  glad  to  see  him. 

Bristol,  September  2nd. — Went  to  the  theatre.  Was  disposed  to 
do  my  best,  but  acted  indifferently.  I  will  not  say  that  it  was  not  my 
own  fault,  but  Mr.  Mude,  a  miserable  bawler,  who  exactly  answers 
Hamlet's  description  of  a  "  robustious  periwig-pated  fellow,"  distressed 
me  in  the  outset  of  the  play,  sticking  out  his  arm  to  me  like  a  ramrod, 
and  I  could  not  recover  my  temper  again,  which  was  often  tried 
through  the  night,  particularly  by  Lucius  and  Virginia.  And  here 
one  of  those  curious  things  occurred  that  show  how  much  we  are  the 
victims  of  our  own  fears.  I  thought  that  Mrs.  D.  Lee  did  not  appear 
well  pleased  with  my  indifference  to  her,  and  the  distance  at  which  I 
kept  her,  and  in  the  fourth  act  her  writhings  and  gaspings  made  me 
think  she  was  going  to  make  a  display  by  a  faint  to  excite  interest ; 


THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1884 

when  I  came  to  stab  her,  I  took  most  especial  precaution  not  to  let  the 
knife  touch  her :  she  fell,  and,  as  I  thought,  in  a  mock  faint — nay, 
I  even  fancied  I  heard  her  hysterics  from  my  room  and  from  the  stage, 
and  expected  she  would  impute  it  all  to  my  violence.  I  expected  her 
husband  every  moment  to  come  into  my  room.  I  went  through  the 
remaining  scenes  with  the  ideas  of  paragraphs — pictures  of  ruin  before 
my  mind  that  were  absolute  agonies.  I  dressed,  spoke  for  some  time 
to  Mr.  Mude  on  business — nothing  was  said  or  hinted,  but  I  went  home 
in  a  state  of  mental  torture,  which  was  only  partially  subdued  by  my 
reason  before  bed. 

September  3rd. — Awoke  more  tranquil  from  sleep,  and  having  con- 
sidered how  utterly  groundless  were  my  sickly  apprehensions ;  still,  I 
could  not  quite  reassure  myself  until  I  had  seen  the  lady,  which  I 
resolved  to  take  occasion  to  do.  The  vision,  for  such  it  almost  may 
be  called,  that  had  haunted  me  had  a  manifest  effect  upon  my  state  of 
body.  I  was  really  unwell  from  it  alone.  A  woman  called  with  a 
letter,  describing  herself  as  the  daughter  of  Edmund  Kean's  mother, 
unpaid  by  her  manager,  etc.  I  felt  no  compassion  even  if  her  tale 
were  true,  there  is  something  to  me  so  unredeemably  disgusting  in  the 
life  and  character  of  that  man  that  I  feel  a  sort  of  sickening  to  all 
that  belonged  to  or  allied  itself  to  him — Messrs.  Lee,  R.  Phillips, 
J.  Hughes,  and  the  whole  train  of  parasitical  bl — g — ds.  Went  to 
rehearsal  in  a  very  low  state  of  mind ;  rehearsed  only  the  scenes  where 
others  were  concerned  particularly  with  me.  Seized  the  occasion  of 
sending  for  Mrs.  D.  Lee  on  the  plea  of  speaking  to  her  about  her  dress 
for  Myrrha.  When  I  saw  her  all  smiles  and  curtseys — oh,  what  a 
relief!  It  is  difficult  to  describe  the  lightened  feeling  of  my  heart, 
the  pleasure  which  the  return  of  complacency  afforded  me.  I  spoke 
very  kindly  to  her  on  her  dress,  and  also  on  some  points  of  her  acting, 
by  which  she  seemed  much  obliged.  At  my  lodgings  I  looked  over 
what  I  could  of  Hamlet,  and,  going  to  the  theatre,  acted  it  really  well 
— the  advice  to  the  players  particularly  so ;  and,  indeed,  the  whole 
performance  was  good.  Came  home  with  a  body  very  much  fatigued, 
but  with  my  mind  greatly  relieved. 

September  5th. — Went  early  to  rehearsal  upon  the  promise,  though 
not  with  the  expectation  of  seeing  it  realized,  of  having  the  last  scene 
of  Sardanapalus  tried.  On  reaching  the  theatre  I  found  nothing  ready, 
all  things  in  confusion.  The  general  inactivity,  from  the  sleepiness 
of  the  manager  to  the  sulkiness  of  the  property  man,  was  remarkably 
conspicuous.  There  was  no  head  to  give  impulse  and  energy  to  the 
176 


1884]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

limbs  of  the  concern,  and  I  felt  annoyed  to  see  this  woman's  ^  money 
thrown  away  by  the  supineness  and  apathy  of  those  whom  she  was 
paying.  I  therefore  gave  my  assistance  and  saw  much  done,  and 
ordered  more,  that  contributed  to  put  the  play  forward.  Acted  the 
character  of  Sardanapalus  very  fairly,  and  the  audience  gave  it  their 
fullest  sympathy.  By  dint  of  urging  on  the  people  and  giving  them 
proper  directions  all  went  smoothly,  and  the  curtain  fell  amid  loud 
plaudits.  I  was  lustily  called  for,  and  went  on  to  make  a  very  cheerful 
bow  to  my  kind  Bristol  friends.  Went  to  bed  and  read  the  preface  to 
Esther f  by  Racine,  and  some  chapters  of  Tom  Jones. 

September  6th. — On  coming  from  my  room,  I  immediately  set 
myself  to  an  examination  of  my  affairs,  and  a  consideration  of  the 
offered  terms  from  Liverpool ;  I  did  not  hastily  relinquish  the  certainty 
of  gaining  money,  but  if  I  am  at  any  sacrifice  to  seize  upon  every  offer 
of  direct  emolument  without  respect  to  its  influence  on  future  experi- 
ments and  on  other  engagements,  I  may  as  well  play  right  ahead  as 
I  used  to  do,  and  relinquish  my  increasing  hope  and  strengthening  trust 
of  attaining  real  eminence  in  my  art.  I  decided  not  to  go  there,  and 
wrote  to  Clarke  to  that  effect. 

September  8th. — Settled  accounts,  paying  my  board  and  lodging, 
and  learned  that  Mr.  Mude  would  not  play  Ulric — even  on  Friday. 
I  have  never  entertained  a  high  opinion  of  this  person ;  now  I  hold 
him  at  his  worth — he  is  a  low-minded  person.  The  box  with  the  dress 
of  Sardanapalus  arrived,  and  a  note  of  the  repairs,  with  a  very  cool 
demand  for  a  cheque  to  the  amount — which,  of  course,  I  shall  not 
send.  Went  to  rehearsal,  annoyed  by  a  wearing  toothache  and  cold 
in  my  head,  and  endeavoured  to  prevail  on  Mathews  to  undertake 
Ulric,  but  he  excused  himself  on  the  score  of  illness  and  depression.  I 
could  not  urge  it.  Rehearsed  the  few  scenes  required  of  Sardanapalus, 
and  came  home  much  worse  with  this  odious  toothache — the  very  tooth 
with  which,  a  few  weeks  since,  Cartwright  had  put  me  to  torture  for 
its  preservation.  On  going  to  the  theatre,  I  apprehended  that  I  should 
be  put  hors  de  moi  by  the  new  dress,  and  I  was  so,  more  particularly 
that  in  two  important  points  it  did  not  fit.  I  did  not  act  well,  except 
the  conclusion  of  the  dream,  and,  in  conformity  with  the  usual  accident 
of  a  second  night,  the  whole  piece  went  flatly. 

September  9th. — Mr.  Mude,  with  nothing  to  do  and  doing  nothing, 
came  late  to  the  rehearsal  and  thus  threw  away  a  night  and  morning, 
while  pretending  he  could  not  study  Ulric.     He  is  a  very  shameful 

1  Mrs.  Macready,  his  father's  second  wife,  the  lessee  of  the  Bristol  theatre. 
VOL.  I.  N  IJJ 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

fellow.  Coming  home,  arranged  my  money  and  wrote  to  dear 
Catherine.  After  dinner  lay  down  on  the  sofa,  well  wrapped  up,  and 
slept  some  time  in  hopes  of  lulling  the  pain  in  my  face.  Went  to  the 
theatre  very  much  disinclined  to  act — was  disappointed  in  seeing  a 
very  indifferent  house,  but  it  seems  the  play  has  been  "  hacked  "  on 
every  occasion.  A  note  was  brought  to  me  in  a  vulgar  rhodomontade 
style  from  a  Mr.  Dickson,  calling  himself  an  American,  requesting  an 
interview  or  an  order  for  two.  I  returned  for  answer  I  was  merely 
a  visitor,  and  as  such  had  not  the  power  of  giving  orders.  Acted  very 
indifferently  the  part  of  William  Tell,  which  I  now  thoroughly  dislike ; 
I  was  in  low  spirits,  in  pain,  and  disturbed  in  my  best  effects  by  the 
carelessness  of  the  performers.  How  much  it  is  to  be  lamented  that 
there  is  no  probation  for  players  to  pass ! 

September  10th. — Looked  over  Sardanapalus  and  went  to  the 
theatre.  Invito.  Minervd,  I  had  to  force  my  spirits,  which  were 
depressed  by  languor  and  uncomfortable  sensations,  but  I  did  the  best 
in  my  power  with  Sardanapalus,  though  I  was  not  very  good.  I  was 
cross  and  morose,  which  was  as  bad  as  it  was  unnecessary.  After  the 
play,  on  coming  home  very  tired,  I  wrote  a  letter  to  Woulds,  entreating 
him  to  let  me  off  from  my  next  week's  engagement,  as  I  risk  in  health 
so  much  more  than  it  is  worth,  even  if  it  were  reasonable  to  expect  a 
good  result,  which  it  is  not. 

September  12th. — Entered  some  arrears  previous  to  going  to  re- 
hearsal, where  I  was  disappointed  in  seeing  Mr.  Ross  so  imperfect  that 
it  was  evident  he  could  do  nothing  with  the  part  of  Idenstein.  Here 
is  another  instance  of  the  utter  want  of  respect  to  the  art  and  occupa- 
tion in  which  these  impostors  (for  so  the  present  race  of  actors  may 
be  rightly  termed)  are  engaged,  which  is  observable  through  every 
branch  of  the  drama.  I  requested  this  man  to  take  pains  with  the 
character,  which  seemed  in  every  respect  adapted  to  him,  in  order  that 
I  might  have  an  opportunity  of  recommending  him  for  the  second  old 
man — and  the  man  with  three  times  the  necessary  time  was  not  perfect 
in  three  consecutive  lines !  Acted  some  of  the  character  of  Werner 
extremely  well ;  was  much  distressed  by  the  imperfectness  and  unfitness 
of  Mr.  Carroll  as  Ulric,  but  was  not  displeased  with  him ;  on  the 
contrary,  obliged  by  his  good-natured  attempts.  Was,  however,  very 
angry  about  some  trifles  in  other  parts  of  the  play,  for  which  I  condemn 
myself,  and  suffer  deep  pain  in  reflecting  on  my  folly.  I  do  not  mean 
to  extenuate  the  general  idleness  and  inattention  of  manager,  prompter, 
servants,  actors,  etc.,  which  are  deplorable.  Mr.  Mude,  the  manager, 
178 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

is  the  very  first  and  very  worst ;  he  is  really  disgusting  in  his  indiffer- 
ence to  everything  going  forward.  Two  letters  from  Woulds,  refusing 
to  remit  my  engagement,  and  trying  to  make  out  a  case,  but  this  is 
a  very  poor  one. 

September  12th. — In  dressing,  I  reasoned  with  myself  upon  my 
petulant  and  morose  behaviour,  and  brought  before  my  eyes  the  little, 
and  to  other  persons  the  imperceptible,  defects,  which  the  negligence 
of  these  idle  and  unskilful  men  cause  in  my  theatrical  portraits ; 
besides,  in  what  do  I  amend  them  or  improve  myself  by  abandoning 
myself  to  temporary  fury?  It  grieves  me,  and  shames  me  to  think 
of  it.  Went  to  rehearsal,  settled  William  Tell,  and  rehearsed  King 
Lear — without  ill-humour.  A  letter  from  Mrs.  Glover,  asking  me  to 
go  to  her  son  at  Aberystwith  for  a  few  nights,  and  to  play  for  her 
benefit  at  the  Haymarket.  Mude  told  me  that  Madame  Vestris's  shoe 
bill  averaged,  for  the  time  it  was  made  out,  eleven  shillings  per  diem ! 

September  16th. — My  night's  rest,  short  as  it  must  have  been,  was 
still  further  diminished  by  my  own  restless  and  ill-imagining  mind ; 
I  rose,  however,  at  an  early  hour,  and  finished  everything  that  I  had 
to  do  in  the  way  of  packing.  I  started  with  a  tolerably  agreeable  and 
intelligent  man,  whom  I  suspected  to  be  Mr.  Adam,  but  who  was  not, 
and  others — fruges  consumere.  This  person  wrote  with  great  ease  as 
the  mail  proceeded,  and  on  my  asking,  he  showed  me  how  it  was 
managed  :  simply  by  holding  the  right  hand  firmly  and  immovably 
down  upon  the  book  on  which  you  write.  I  tried  it.  We  had  rather 
a  long  passage  over  the  Severn,  during  which  my  right-hand  neighbour 
asked  the  guard  if  that — pointing  to  one  of  the  passengers — was  not 
Macready.  The  guard  gave  him  a  good  nudge,  and,  to  his  repetition 
of  the  question,  slyly  pointed  to  me.  Heard  of  the  wreck  of  the 
Osborne,  300  tons,  higher  up  the  river,  laden  with  salt ;  the  strength 
of  the  tide  broke  her  up  directly.  A  very  agreeable  man — as  I  sur- 
mised, a  solicitor,  and,  from  his  own  account,  a  Catholic,  educated  at 
Stonyhurst — came  in  at  Newport.  I  liked  him  very  much.  As  we 
entered  Neath,  where  I  expected  a  chaise  to  be  waiting  for  me,  I 
perceived  two  or  three  young  men  running  and  looking  into  the  coach, 
and  the  sympathy  with  their  curiosity  spread  as  we  went  along.  I  knew 
I  was  known — at  the  inn  there  was  a  crowd.  On  inquiring  for  my 
chaise:  "Yes,  sir,  Mr.  Macready;  which  is  your  luggage?"  There 
was  Woulds,  looking  as  if  just  clutched  by  a  bailiff ;  every  one  was  in 
motion,  some  staring  into  my  face,  others  getting  down  and  running 
with  the  luggage,  and  in  the  course  of  five  minutes  we  cantered  off. 

N   2  jjf^ 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

It  seems  Woulds  had  walked  over  and  spread  the  alarm,  which  was 
certainly  very  widely  diffused,  and  which  served  to  amuse  me  very 
much.  We  went  merrily  along,  leaving  the  excited  inhabitants  of 
Neath  to  talk  of  the  event,  and  reached  Swansea — the  stage  door  of 
the  theatre — at  about  four  minutes  past  seven.  Here,  again,  was  a 
crowd  at  the  door,  and  so  much  chattering  and  hurry  and  confusion 
that  after  Woulds  had  given  the  postilion  seven  shillings  and  sixpence 
for  his  fee,  the  fellow  returned  and  asked,  with  great  anxiety  :  "  Who 
the  devil  have  I  been  driving  ?  "  I  dressed,  having  my  flesh-coloured 
stockings  on  under  my  trousers,  in  about  twenty  minutes,  and,  going 
on,  played  Macbeth,  considering  all  things,  not  discreditably.  But 
how  truly  did  I  feel  in  this  instance  the  proof  of  what  I  had  so  often 
advanced  about  actors  injuring  themselves  by  playing  upon  worn-out 
frames  and  jaded  spirits !  It  would  have  ruined  Miss  O'Neil  very  soon, 
and  did  almost  ruin  me. 

Swansea,  September  V7th. — ^Took  a  warm  bath,  and  walked  on  the 
pier,  and  along  the  sands,  enjoying  the  beauty  of  the  bay — really 
beautiful — and  listening  to  the  music  of  the  waves  gently  breaking 
upon  the  shore — feeling  within  myself  a  relish  of  the  air,  the  sea,  the 
sky — of  nature  and  of  life,  that  was  most  delicious.  Came  home,  and 
before  and  after  dinner  read  in  Homer  the  pathetic  death  of  Patroclus. 

September  18th. — Before  going  to  rehearsal  entered  some  arrears 
due.  Was  very  courteous  and  well  conducted  at  the  theatre,  though 
disgusted  with  the  impertinence  of  a  man  called  Edmonds,  who  refused 
to  speak  what  the  prompter  told  him.  Mr.  Adderley,  about  whom 
Calcraft  had  written  to  me,  was  very  civil,  but  indifferent.  Mr.  Mason 
told  me  of  the  character  Mrs.  H.  Siddons  gave  of  her  brother  Mr. 
Murray,^  which  confirms  what  I  have  unwillingly  but  unremittingly 
thought  of  him,  that  he  was  a  selfish,  cold-blooded,  designing  schemer. 
She  has  certainly  been  a  good  sister  to  him,  and  her  evidence  is  of 
great  weight.  Went  advisedly  to  sleep  after  dinner,  and,  having 
despatched  my  clothes  to  the  theatre,  packed  up  what  remained,  and 
prepared  myself  for  my  night's  work.  The  house  was  very  good,  and 
taking  considerable  pains  I  acted  Werner  really  well — almost  too  well 
for  some  part  of  the  house,  to  which  I  make  no  doubt  the  grinding 
and  roaring  and  grimacing  of  my  hard-working  colleague  Stuart  in 
Ulric  must  have  seemed  much  more  like  acting  than  my  more  quiet 
mode  of  speaking.  My  friend  Herod  is  a  worthy  painstaking  man,  but 
one  with  whom  a  cat  would  have  no  more  chance  than  Lictors  with 

'    See  note,  p.  25. 
180 


\'  ^ 


f  i, 


ELIZABETH    O  NEILL 

From  a  Hthoijraph  of  a  painting  by  W.  Davit 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Hercules.  I  acted  with  general  taste,  and  have  little  exception  to  take, 
except  where  my  intentions  were  interfered  with  by  the  imperfectness 
or  maladroitness  of  my  coadjutors. 

September  19th. — Was  called,  to  my  great  annoyance,  at  twenty 
minutes  before  three,  and  obliged  to  get  up  to  speak  to  the  porter, 
with  whom  I  had  bargained  for  this  call  last  night.  On  opening  the 
window  I  perceived  it  was  raining — settled  for  the  man  to  return  for 
my  luggage,  and,  having  made  most  of  my  toilet  before  going  to  bed, 
was  not  long  in  putting  my  bags,  etc.,  ready  for  his  call;  delivered 
them  to  him,  and  after  getting  a  little  tea  walked  up  to  the  coach 
office ;  took  my  seat  in  company  with  another  man,  a  woman  and 
infant,  for  whom  I  felt  much  interest.  My  own  babes  came  across  my 
mind,  and  how  I  should  like  them  to  be  exposed  to  the  raw  fogs  and 
vapours  of  such  a  morning  made  me  anxious  to  see  her  comfortable. 
We  started  at  four.  We  had  other  occasional  passengers,  there  being 
a  great  demand  for  places.  As  we  left  Cowbridge  I  was  interested  by 
this  woman,  herself  rather  interesting,  showing  much  knowledge  of 
the  localities,  and  dwelling  on  the  beauty  of  certain  places  with  a  sort 
of  fond  recollection.  On  inquiry  I  found  her  youth  had  been  passed 
here,  and  she  was  now,  with  her  husband  and  large  young  family, 
revisiting  her  early  home.  Here  had  been  the  scenes  of  her  early  love, 
and  many  a  dell  and  many  a  hill-top  with  its  lovely  views  preserved 
associations  of  painful  and  pleasing  memory,  perhaps,  both  dear  to 
thought.  As  we  set  down  this  little  colony  another  family,  following 
us  in  a  chaise,  took  up  their  places — rather  pretty  women ;  but  the  day 
was  Indian  in  its  sultriness,  I  had  no  book,  no  power  of  going  outside, 
no  capability  of  thought — patient  perspiration  was  my  business  through 
the  day,  and  I  went  through  it  like  St.  Lawrence  on  his  gridiron.  At 
Cardiff  we  took  up  Miss  Callcott,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  C,  who  is  hand- 
some, though  not  young,  and,  as  I  heard,  a  very  fine  singer.  Dined  — 
if  dining  it  could  be  called — at  Chepstow,  where  the  coach  for  Gloster 
was  again  inhumanly  loaded,  and  I  resumed  my  sort  of  catacomb 
position.  ''The  longest  day  will  have  an  end  ";  we  reached  Gloster 
safely,  and  after  giving  some  advice  about  her  baby  to  the  lady,  my 
companion,  I  left  them,  sought  out  my  luggage  from  Bristol,  took 
my  place  for  Birmingham,  read  an  old  newspaper  on  sorry  Lord 
Brougham,  entered  (arrears  of  record  and  was  glad  to  go  to  bed. 

Gloucester^  September  ^Oth. — Bought  a  small  volume  of  Gifford's  ^ 
Baviad  and  Mseviad  to  read  on  my  journey.     Looked  at  the  news- 

*  See  note,  p.  99. 

181 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

paper,  paid  my  bill,  and  came  away.  Read  Gifford's  life — with  the 
direct  simplicity  of  its  narration  I  was  pleased,  and  affected  by  the 
touching  enumeration  of  his  sufferings ;  his  answer  to  Lord  Grosvenor's 
inquiry — that  he  "  had  no  friends,  and  no  prospects  of  any  kind  " — 
moved  me  very  much.  What  a  lesson  is  such  a  life !  but  what  a  lesson 
is  every  man's  life,  if  we  would  only  use  our  own  minds  in  their 
examination !  Read  the  Baviad  and  Mseviad ;  preferred  the  former ; 
the  subject  was  too  much  exhausted  for  a  new  satire,  at  least,  to  equal 
in  pungent  effect  the  former  one.  They  are,  however,  both  extremely 
good,  and  must  have  fallen  like  a  giant's  arm  upon  the  insect-like 
flutterings  of  the  half -formed  witlings  whom  they  aimed  to  crush. 
But  to  imagine  that  Burns  lived  in  comparative  neglect  while  these 
apes  were  attracting  notice  by  their  absurdities !  I  should  like  to  read 
these  satires  to  dear  Catherine.  At  Worcester  I  saw  a  face  which  I 
thought  I  knew.  I  could  not  recollect  until  I  went  into  the  inn,  and 
then  it  occurred  to  me  as  that  of  William  James,  Dr.  James'  son, 
who  was  the  head  boy  at  Rugby  soon  after  I  first  went  there :  it  must 
be  very  nearly  thirty  years  since  I  have  seen  him.  Heard  a  good  deal 
of  Birmingham  news  from  a  Birmingham  man  in  the  coach ;  arrived, 
took  my  place  to  Chesterfield,  saw  and  chatted  with  old  Waddell,  read 
hastily  the  account  of  the  Edinburgh  dinner  ^ — I  question  the  extent 
of  service  of  Lord  Grey. 

September  21st. — ^Rose  early  to  set  out  by  the  Sheffield  coach  for 
Chesterfield  :  was  so  extremely  drowsy  during  the  two  first  stages  that 
I  neither  read  nor  looked  at  the  country  :  slept  continually.  Read 
over  the  Latin  citations  in  the  Baviad  and  Mseviad;  then  read  both 
poems  over  again,  having  gone  through  the  trial  of  John  Williams,  alias 
Anthony  Pasquin  v.  Faulder :  there  are  observations  in  the  speech  of 
Erskine  that  will  well  apply  to  many  of  the  scoundrels,  viz.  Eraser, 

Westmacott,  Gregory,  etc.,  of  the  present  day.    is  dead,  and  though 

as  base  a  libeller  as  ever  blackened  his  own  soul,  or  tried  to  do 
so  by  another  man's  character,  he  is  spoken  of  by  some  of  the  Press 
as  respected  and  lamented  I    Arrived  at  Chesterfield  in  the  usual  agony 

'  The  complimentary  banquet  to  Lord  Grey,  memorable  for  the  altercation  between 
Brougham  and  Lord  Durham,  which  led  to  their  long  and  bitter  quarrel.  Brougham  was  at 
that  time  making  a  sort  of  triumphal  progress  through  Scotland,  posing  as  a  Conservative  in 
one  town  and  as  a  Radical  in  another !  In  addition  to  these  political  pranks,  he  brought 
his  office  into  discredit  by  the  "high  jinks"  in  which  he  indulged  at  the  country  houses 
where  he  was  a  guest,  on  one  occasion  actually  permitting  the  Great  Seal  to  be  taken 
possession  of  by  a  bevy  of  mad-cap  young  ladies  for  a  game  of  "  hide-and-seek, "in  which  the 
Chancellor  groped  about  the  room  blind-folded  to  the  rising  and  falling  notes  of  a  piano  ! 
182 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

of  anticipated  playing,  had  my  luggage  carried  to  the  Angel  Inn, 
where  the  rooms  offered  me  were  tobacco-perfumed  and  dirty.  I  was 
at  last  driven  to  take  refuge  in  the  ball-room.  Sent  for  my  letters, 
and  received  one,  worth  all,  from  my  Catherine ;  answered  it  before 
dinner ;  after  dinner  received  a  note  from  a  Mr.  Mason,  asking  me  to 
sit  for  my  portrait.     Wrote  an  answer,  declining  his  invitation. 

Chesterfield,  September  22nd. — I  saw  an  affiche  of  Mr.  Cathcart's 
running  away  £9  in  the  manager's  debt  stuck  up  in  the  green-room !  ! 
This  man  seems  utterly  despicable !  Walked  round  the  market-place, 
and  so  home  by  the  church — examining  the  wooden  spire,  curious  and 
unsightly,  observed  the  date  1003  upon  a  porch.  Laid  out  my  clothes, 
sent  for  a  play-bill  and  a  History  of  Chesterfield — not  very  interesting. 
Wish  to  see  Hardwick  and  Chatsworth,  if  practicable.  Read  a  little 
of  Hamlet,  which  I  acted  to  the  dullest,  most  insensible  audience,  and 
among  the  most  brutish  I  ever  yet  had  to  endure.  I  did  my  best,  but 
occasionally  felt  the  lethargy  of  the  audience  steal  over  me.  My  friend 
Horatio  did  everything  at  night  contrary  to  what  I  had  requested  in 
the  morning,  but  I  think  I  never  either  looked  or  offered  an  ill-natured 
thing.     Was  tired,  and  beginning  to  grow  homesick. 

September  9,Srd. — Went  to  rehearsal,  where  I  preserved  the  same 
affable  and  gentlemanly  demeanour  that  I  had  done  yesterday.  I  was 
once  near  lapsing  into  impatience,  but  it  passed  over.  How  desirable 
would  it  be  for  me  if  I  could  but  maintain  this  deportment !  I  can  at 
least  try.  Began  Virginius  very  well,  with  considerable  earnestness, 
and  learning  to  relax  my  stiffness ;  but  in  the  third  act  was  seized  with 
a  return  of  the  toothache,  only  more  violent  than  I  had  at  Bristol, 
which  affected  my  head  and  nerves  generally.  I  combated  it  as  well 
as  I  could,  but  was  acting  under  a  heavy  load  during  the  remainder  of 
the  day.  Forgot  to  notice,  for  I  must  not  omit  to  record  my  reproba- 
tion of  my  own  indiscretion,  that  I  was  angry  with  both  Lucius  and 
Appius,  but  merely  said  to  the  latter :  "  Oh,  sir !  you  have  distressed 
me  exceedingly,"  which  he  did  by  his  imperfectness ;  the  other  was 
nearly  as  bad.  Still,  it  would  have  been  more  sensible  to  have  passed 
over  what  could  not  be  amended. 

September  25th. — Between  Loughborough  and  Leicester  the  remem- 
brance both  of  my  journey,  its  minutest  details,  my  being  alone,  pass- 
ing (as  I  thought)  "  Boots'  "  (one  of  our  boys)  house,  dining  at  Not- 
tingham alone  on  a  leg  of  mutton  and  tart,  the  feeling  of  melancholy 
that  was  on  me,  though  going  home  for  my  first  holiday  from  Rugby 
— all  the  sensations  attending  a  journey  taken  thirty-one  years  ago 

183 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

which  led  me  unconsciously  to  the  last  sight  of  my  blessed  mother's 
remains — came  back  upon  me  this  afternoon  with  a  sort  of  vividness 
that  the  events  of  his  past  life  are  said  to  present  themselves  with  to 
the  mind  of  a  drowning  man.  The  sight  of  her  corpse  was  the  first 
deep  impression  I  remember  to  have  received — I  can  see  her  now  so 
placid  in  her  sleep-like  death — as  I  kissed  her  marble-cold  forehead. 
I  well  remember  too  how  she  used  to  caress  and  weep  over  me  when 
I  returned  to  see  her,  though  I  fear,  indeed  I  know,  though  deeply 
attached  to  her,  my  violent  passions  made  me  often  undutiful  and 
disobedient  to  her — God  bless  her  and  forgive  me!  He  has  been 
much,  much  more  merciful  and  bountiful  to  me  than  I  have  merited. 

September  ^6th. — On  coming  downstairs  saw  the  yeomanry  trot- 
ting to  their  several  muster-places ;  while  standing  at  the  window,  and 
smiling  at  the  awkward  figures  before  me,  to  my  great  surprise  Arnold, 
my  old  school-fellow,  entered  in  yeomanry  costume  with  a  helmet  like 
Goose  Gibbie's,  and  seemed  quite  pleased  to  see  me ;  wished  me  to  dine 
with  him,  and  see  what  he  could  of  me.    My  employment  was  my  excuse. 

London,  September  20th. — Forster  came  in  again,  and  told  all  he 
had  to  tell,  which  was  not  much ;  at  his  request  I  read  him  an  act 
and  half  of  the  Bridal,  which  he  seemed  to  like,  but — who  can  tell? 
Whilst  he  was  with  me  a  note  came  from  Bunn  (I  had  sent  back  to 
Willmott  the  books  of  Sardanapalus  and  King  Lear  by  which,  I  sup- 
pose, he  learned  that  I  was  in  town),  he  said  he  would  endeavour  to 
run  over  to  my  chambers,  but  if  he  could  not  would  I  write  down  my 
demands  for  his  consideration — and  the  matter  might  soon  be  settled ; 
he  mentioned  also  a  "glorious  part "  he  had  for  me,  etc. 

Elstree,  October  1st. — Looked  at  newspapers  and  wrote  to  Bunn, 
taking  copy  of  the  same,  asking  my  former  terms,  varied  only  by  the 
division  of  the  Benefit,  and  the  erasure  of  about  half-a-dozen  characters 
from  my  list. 

Leicester,  October  Srd. — Saw  Braham's  carriage  start  for  Birming- 
ham ;  I  can  look  without  the  least  envy  on  his  great  wealth.  I  have 
too  much  to  thank  God  for  to  covet  anything  of  his. 

Nottingham,  October  4tth. — At  the  theatre  Mr.  Manby  informed 
me  of  the  "extravagant  praise  "  bestowed  by  the  papers  on  Mr.  Van- 
denhoff  at  Covent  Garden ;  this  was  not  very  agreeable  or  encouraging 
just  going  on  for  Hamlet;  it  annoyed  me,  but  I  soon  overcame  it, 
and  acted  the  part  well — very  well ;  but  I  was  tetchy  and  angry — I 
suppose  from  the  news  reported  to  me  I 

Liverpool,  October  6th. — I  rehearsed  Macbeth  with  particular  care, 
184 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

and  with  a  freedom  of  deportment  and  freshness  of  manner  that 
gratified  me  in  causing  me  to  beUeve  in  the  perception  of  my  improve- 
ment. Miss  Huddart  was  the  Lady  Macbeth,  and  seemed  to  me  both 
nervous  and  faUing  into  another  vice  of  pronunciation,  against  which 
I  shall  caution  her.  Laid  out  my  dress,  giving  parts  of  it  to  Marshall 
to  mend,  and  after  dinner  went  to  bed,  being  anxious  to  play  well ; 
slept  soundly  and  went  to  the  theatre  much  refreshed.  Dressed  in 
good  time,  was  cool  and  self-possessed,  and  played  with  a  truth,  grace 
and  energy  that,  I  think,  should  place  this  as  the  best  representation 
I  have  yet  given  of  Macbeth.  The  audience,  proverbially  the  most 
insensible  and  apathetic  of  any,  seemed  to  feel  it,  for  they  went  with 
the  stream  that  bore  me  on,  and  became  so  much  excited  that  after 
much  applause  they  became  tumultuous  for  my  reappearance — a  very 
unusual  practice  here — and  at  Clarke's  request  I  went  on  to  make  my 
bow  before  them.  I  was  angry  with  a  well-meaning  but  most  inaccurate 
man,  Mr.  Vining,  and  (so  blind  is  anger)  made  my  complaint  of  him 
directly  before  his  wife,  whom  I  did  not  see.  From  abstinence  in  diet  and 
taking  but  a  very  little  wine  I  did  not  feel  much  distressed  by  fatigue. 

October  1th. — Dr.  Lardner  came  into  my  room,  and  chatted  with 
me  for  some  tune;  among  other  things,  in  speaking  of  the  tour  he 
had  made  through  Scotland  and  by  the  lakes,  he  mentioned  his  visit  to 
Southey  at  Keswick.  On  passing  the  drawing-room  he  noticed  several 
ladies  apparently  in  a  very  cheerful  mood ;  on  giving  his  name,  after 
waiting  about  five  minutes,  Southey  came  to  him,  the  very  image  of 
distraction,  took  his  hand  and  led  him  into  his  study.  For  a  long  time 
he  remained  silent — at  length  told  him  he  believed  he  must  dismiss 
him ;  in  fine  he  disclosed  to  him  that  within  the  last  five  minutes,  since 
he  rang  the  bell  at  the  lawn  gate,  Mrs.  Southey  had,  without  previous 
indication  or  symptom,  gone  raving  mad,  and  to  that  hopeless  degree 
that  within  an  hour  he  must  take  her  to  an  asylum.  These  are  the 
cruel  liabihties  of  our  nature,  which  no  human  power  can  cure,  but 
which  only  resignation  and  the  hope  that  religion  offers  can  alleviate 
and  soothe. 

October  Sth. — Felt  considerably  tired  from  the  exertion  of  last 
night,  and  was  confirmed  in  my  opinion  of  the  necessity  of  intervals  of 
rest  in  a  week's  labours.  Gave  Marshall  my  dress  for  Sardanapalus  to 
alter,  and  went  to  rehearsal,  where  I  took  pains  with  my  character, 
and  hoped  to  satisfy  myself  as  well  at  night.  Was  talking  with  Clarke 
about  the  opinion  of  persons  in  this  place  upon  myself ;  we  agreed  that 
much  pains  had  been  taken  by  the  ignorant  Press  here  to  root  deeply 

185 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

a  prejudice  against  me.  He  was  very  sanguine  about  the  house  to-night 
and  quite  raised  my  expectations.  Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  found 
a  most  wretched  house — this  was  a  sad  surprise  and  damp  to  my  hopes, 
as  I  regard  my  engagement's  success  as  depending  on  this  night.  It 
staggered  me,  but  I  did  not  permit  it  to  hang  upon  my  spirits,  but 
went  through  the  part  of  Sardanapalus  with  as  much  spirit  as  the  wet 
blanket  of  Mr.  Weldron,  a  miserable  pretender  to  his  art,  would  allow 
to  burst  forth — and  indeed  the  performance  was  a  very  fair  one.  But 
the  house !  the  house ! — I  was  almost  vexed.  Dr.  Lardner  came  into 
my  room,  and  interested  me  with  an  account  of  the  hospitable  arrange- 
ments of  Edinburgh,  upon  the  meeting  of  the  savans  there.  Returning 
home,  half  fretful  (which  I  had  no  right  to  be,  for  I  have  made  a 
speculation  which  has  failed,  whilst  others  have  succeeded)  I  read  the 
Examiner,  and  on  going  to  bed  a  scene  from  Racine's  Iphiginie. 

October  Qth. — Rose  with  sore  and  almost  fretful  feelings  on  the 
utter  neglect  I  experience  in  this  place,  but  a  little  reflection — looking 
to  the  bottom  of  the  page — soon  righted  my  mind,  and  with  the 
quotation :  Tu  ne  cede  malis,  sed  contra  audentior  ifo,  qua,  etc.,  I 
went  cheerfully  to  the  work  of  ray  toilet.  The  falling  off  in  the  week's 
revenue  made  me  think  of  relinquishing  the  plan  I  had  formed  of  spend- 
ing Saturday  and  Sunday  at  some  bathing-place  in  the  neighbourhood, 
but  my  state  of  body  seems  to  require  some  such  restorative.  Wrote  a 
little  and  went  to  rehearsal,  where  I  took  pains  and  pleased  myself 
with  my  manner  of  going  through  Virginius.  Applied  to  Clarke  and 
Lewis  to  let  me  off  from  Tuesday,  but  I  learn  the  danger  of  ever 
yielding  a  straw  to  these  managers ;  they  never  will  relinquish  what 
they  once  obtain. 

October  10th. — Went  to  the  rehearsal  of  Wolsey,  and  felt  my  cold 
very  bad.  Whilst  at  the  theatre  Clarke  told  me  of  the  Liverpool  Mercury, 
my  systematic  defamer,  having  turned  round,  and  spoken  of  me  as  the 
best  actor  of  the  day — this  was  wonderful.  Miss  Huddart  was  offended 
at  my  speaking  to  her  on  the  stage,  which  I  should  not  have  done,  but 
she  so  exceedingly  distressed  me  that  I  quite  forgot  myself.  Came 
home,  took  some  tea,  medicine  and  went  to  bed,  forgetting  my 
prayers  and  thanksgivings  to  God — an  ungrateful  fault. 

October  11th. — Dressed  myself,  and  went  into  the  drawing-room  to 
see  Miss  Huddart  who  had  called  about  the  reading  of  the  Bridal. 
I  apologized  to  her,  and  told  her  (what  she  could  plainly  see)  that  I 
was  not  equal  to  the  undertaking  but  hoped  to  be  so  to-morrow.  She 
sat  a  little  while,  imparting  some  theatrical  gossip  which  she  had  just 
l86 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

heard,  and  left  me  to  call  to-morrow  for  the  same  purpose,  when  I 
hoped  to  find  myself  able  to  do  justice  to  the  play. 

October  IMh. — Miss  Huddart  called  on  the  same  errand  as  yester- 
day— to  hear  the  Bridal  read.  I  did  not  feel  equal  to  the  task. 
After  some  time  Clarke  left  us,  and  on  Miss  Huddart  rising  to  go  I 
thought,  as  it  was  so  late  and  the  day  nearly  gone,  it  was  better  to 
despatch  this  affair  now  rather  than  break  up  another  day  with  it. 
I  read  it  as  cautiously  as  I  could — Miss  Huddart  dining  here — and 
finished  the  three  last  acts  after  dinner,  on  the  very  point  of  which 
Clarke  returned.  Mentioned  the  Examiner^ s  criticism  on  Mr.  Denvil,^ 
from  which,  his  repetition  of  Shylock  and  his  announcement  to-morrow 
for  Richard  IH,  I  apprehend  he  has  something  in  him  beyond  the 
common  rim.  It  is,  of  course,  the  interest  of  the  managers  to  make 
it  appear  so,  if  they  can.  For  my  own  fortune,  which  is  dependent  on 
these  sort  of  casualties,  I  can  only  say :  In  Deo  spes  mea. 

October  12th. — At  the  theatre,  where  I  went  to  rehearse  Wolsey 
and  William  Tell,  I  received  letters  from  Mr.  Bunn,  Calcraft  and 
Forster.  Bunn  refuses  on  the  grounds  of  '*  impossibility  "  to  accede 
to  my  demand  of  half  a  Benefit;  I  shall  pause  before  I  answer  him, 
which  I  shall  deliberate  on  and  I  hope  in  God  I  may  decide  with  proper 
judgment.  Calcraft  tells  me  of  my  lodgings,  and  the  failure  of  his 
Italian  speculation.  Forster  writes  a  long  letter,  chiefly  on  Mr.  Denvil, 
of  whose  exact  place  in  the  scale  of  actors  he  seems  unable  to  determine. 
It  appears  to  me  that  he  has,  from  what  I  read  of  him,  a  mind  above 
the  common  theatrical  level  and  the  intellectual  material  to  furnish 
forth  an  artist.  What  will  come  of  it  is  in  the  will  of  other  powers. 
By  the  negligence  of  Mr.  Clarke  or  Mr.  Lloyd,  I  am  fixed  with  the 
whole  play  of  William  Tell  to-night,  instead  of  three  acts,  which  is  in 
every  respect,  as  regards  time,  effect  and  labour,  an  annoyance.  I  at 
last  yielded  to  Mr.  Clarke's  request,  which  was  a  most  unjust  one,  on 
every  principle  of  reciprocity — he  having  refused  to  remit  me  my 
promise  for  to-morrow  night ;  mais  il  jaut  cultiver,  etc.  Went  to  the 
theatre ;  cannot  sufficiently  condemn  my  want  of  thought,  discretion, 
and  relaxation  of  principle  in  the  carelessness  with  which  I  had  awaited 
the  arrival  of  this  evening.  I  was  guilty  of  the  greatest  injustice  to 
myself,  my  family  and  my  reputation,  in  omitting  to  prepare  myself 
as  I  should  have  done  for  Wolsey ;  the  consequence  was  that  my  per- 
formance, though  it  passed  with  some  applause,  was  far  beneath  myself 

^  H.  G.  Denvil,  whom  Bunn  had  experimentally  engaged  ;  he  was,  on  the  whole,   not 
a  success. 

187 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1884 

and  not  equal  to  my  reputation.  If  I  am  to  excel,  it  must  be  by  con- 
sistent labour,  not  by  capricious  efforts ;  I  hope  I  shall  never  have  such 
cause  so  to  reproach  myself  again.  The  real  cause  was  (which  is  no 
excuse)  that  I  expected  an  indifferent  house.  Thank  God  there  was  a 
very  good  one  I  I  acted  William  Tell  (as  a  second  piece)  as  well  as 
Wolsey  was  badly  performed.  Thought  of  something  to  say  iii  case 
of  accident,  but,  like  most  of  my  speeches,  it  was  not  required.  Was 
very  tired,  but  not  ill. 

October  14t/i. — Marshall  brought  me  a  letter  by  the  penny  post. 
It  is  from  a  woman  who  acted  one  season — I  think  not  more — in  London 
— Covent  Garden — her  name  was  Ogilvie.  She  appeared  in  Queen 
Katherine,  played  Constance,  liady  Macbeth,  and  I  forget  what 
besides.  She  was  taught,  I  believe,  by  C.  Kemble,  and  was  recom- 
mended by  a  Mr.  Foote,  of  private  theatrical  notoriety.  She  was  an 
indifferent  actress,  but  a  striking  appearance.  After  playing  as  the 
leading  actress  in  several  country  theatres,  a  young  man — almost  a 
boy,  whom  I  remember  an  interesting  child  at  his  father's  funeral 
— named  McNamara,  was  base  enough  to  marry  this  creature.  She 
now  writes  to  me  from  the  Liverpool  workhouse,  describing  herself 
as  destitute  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  afflicted  with  paralysis,  and 
almost  starved.  What  a  picture !  What  a  lesson !  Decency  of 
conduct  might  have  saved  this  miserable  wretch  from  the  state  she  now 
endures.  How  thankful  ought  they  to  be  who,  having  escaped  the 
snares  of  dissipation  and  the  impulses  of  headstrong  will,  can  safely 
look  upon  and  compassionate  the  faults  and  frailties  of  their  less  happy 
fellow-creatures !  I  cannot  think  of  what  ill-conduct  might  have  made 
me  without  really  shuddering.  Blessed  be  the  name  of  God  for  all 
His  goodness  to  me  I  Sent  for  the  newspapers,  in  which  was  nothing 
worth  notice.  Acted  Werner  as  well  as  I  could  (which  was  not  very 
well)  with  an  overstrained  throat  and  exhausted  system.  It  has  made 
me  resolve  not  again  to  do  courtesies  in  the  shape  of  business.  I  will 
give  my  money,  but,  according  to  Dr.  Johnson's  advice  to  Thrale, 
"I  will  not  give  my  beer — I  will  sell  that."  Received  a  very  sweet 
letter  from  dear  Catherine — how  much  have  I  to  be  grateful  for  in  that 
amiable  and  excellent  woman  I  Made  some  small  presents  to  the 
servants  of  the  theatre,  and  after  an  effort  (oh,  mauvaise  honte  !)  bade 
the  gentlemen  of  the  green-room  good-night.  Dr.  Lardner  came  into 
my  room  and  sat  with  me. 

To  Dublin,  October  15th. — Enclosed  bill  for  £170  to  Ransoms, 
and  ten  shillings  to  Mrs.  Ogilvie.  I  believe  she  is  not  deserving ;  but 
l88 


1834]  THE   DIARIES    OF   MACREADY 

I  fear  to  judge  too  rigidly,  and,  under  the  penance  she  is  now  suffering 
for  her  faults,  it  cannot  be  wrong  to  temper  it  with  so  slight  an  allevia- 
tion. God  help  us  all !  There  is  much  more  atrocious  villainy  in  this 
world  that  passes  unpunished,  and  sometimes  remunerated  (look  at  the 
Age  and  Satirist  newspapers),  while  this  unhappy  wretch,  uneducated, 
and  perhaps  reared  to  dissipation,  is  beggared  and  abandoned  for  her 
frailties !  The  landlady,  when  I  was  paying  my  enormous  bill,  offered 
to  take  off  what  I  objected  to,  but  as  the  only  mode  of  taking  off  would 
be  to  remodel  the  bill,  I  declined  doing  so,  paid  her,  and  there's  an 
end.  I  asked  for  some  luncheon ;  and  after  taking  some  cold  beef  and 
writing  to  Catherine,  the  little  girl  answered  me  rather  pertly  that 
they  "never  charged  for  cold  meat."     I  wish  I  had  known  that. 

Kingstown,  October  16th. — After  a  very  coarse  passage,  the  wind 
nearly  ahead  the  whole  way,  and  increasing  in  violence  toward  morning, 
we  arrived  at  Kingstown  about  half-past  eleven.  The  captain  recog- 
nized me,  and  came  up  very  cordially  to  address  me.  I  saw,  as  I  think, 
Mrs.  Littleton  ^ — if  it  was  she.  Sir  Thomas  Lawrence's  picture  is  a 
gross  flattery.  Gave  my  luggage  in  charge  to  the  true  Peter,  and  made 
directly  for  the  Kingstown  Hotel,  where  I  got  rooms,  took  a  bath, 
breakfasted,  wrote  to  Catherine,  and  after  walking  nearly  three  miles 
was  taken  up  by  a  car  and  went  into  Dublin.  How  beautiful  is  all 
about  this  city ! — how  very  fine  are  some  of  the  streets,  and  yet  what 
paltry  little  shops  we  see  in  some  of  them,  and  what  dirty,  almost 
ragged  servant  boys  one  sees  opening  the  doors  of  splendid-looking 
mansions !  Dined,  and  read  the  Times  newspaper  criticizing  Messrs. 
Denvil  and  Vandenhoff ;  both  of  which,  by  the  efforts  of  that  base  and 
profligate  paper  to  uphold  them  at  my  expense,  I  clearly  see  are 
failures — the  latter  a  complete  one.  Mr.  Vandenhoff  is  "  the  best 
representative  of  Macbeth  that  has  been  seen  since  Mr.  Kean  " — who 
failed  in  the  part,  and  was  admitted  by  his  admirers  to  be  very  had 
in  it !  The  Richards  of  Messrs.  Young  and  Kemble,  both  of  which 
were  notorious  failures,  are  spoken  of  with  high  esteem  ;  whilst  I,  whose 
fortune  was  made  by  Richard,  am  not  noticed  as  even  existing  I  It 
is  not  easy  to  see  such  dirty  malignity  and  (as  I  try  to  teach  myself) 
"suffer  and  be  still  " — but  can  I  wrestle  with  a  scavenger?  Filth  is 
the  commodity  in  which  men  like  these — Messrs.  Westmacott,  Nugent, 
Gregory,  Barnes,^  Bacon,  Thompson,  Sterling,  Keene,  etc. — deal,  and 
what  has  a  gentleman  and  man  of  honour  to  do  with  such  vermin  ? 

^  See  note,  p.  43. 

^  Barnes  was  editor  of  the  Times,  and  Bacon  and  Sterling  were  two  prominent  members 

189 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1884 

October  11th. — Wrote  a  little,  and  then  began  to  consider  on  the 
best  mode  of  arranging  the  plays  for  this  engagement ;  am  apprehensive 
of  it  from  the  want  of  that  particular  talent  in  several  instances  which 
is  so  important,  if  not  indispensable  to  success.  Attracted  by  the 
vessels  under  the  heavy  breeze,  or  rather  gale,  that  has  been  blowing 
all  the  morning ;  how  much  we  find  to  interest  in  everything  around 
us!  How  beautiful — too  beautiful — would  life  be  if  mankind  were 
less  the  wretched  and  vile  animal,  taken  in  the  mass,  that  he  is ! 

October  ISth. — Got  tea  and  read  the  Times,  in  which  was  ample 
satisfaction  for  the  slight  thrown  on  me  in  the  paper  of  the  day  before, 
as  Mr.  Vandenhoff's  performances  are  here  pointed  out,  and  cannot 
be  mistaken,  as  "most  cruel  butcheries,"  etc.  It  appears  as  if  the 
writer  had  felt  the  injustice  and  folly  of  the  yesterday's  criticism. 
It  is  of  so  much  consequence  to  me  that  my  engagement  may  depend 
on  the  tone  the  newspapers  hold  upon  the  present  performances. 

Dublin,  October  20th. — I  did  not  feel  satisfied  with  my  rehearsal 
of  Macbeth.  There  was  great  confusion  and  much  delay,  which  took 
me  from  the  concentred  thought  upon  my  own  character  which  I  so 
much  wish  to  give.  Mr.  Collins,  the  prompter,  an  imfortunate  victim 
of  dissipation,  was  imable  to  attend,  being  in  a  state  of  raging  madness 
in  a  straight  waistcoat.  My  dresser  did  not  call  for  my  things  at  the 
appointed  hour,  and  I,  with  some  struggles  against  it,  was  certainly 
angry.  Whether  this  tended  to  detract  from  my  performance,  or 
whether  the  interruption  given  at  particular  points  by  a  few  ruffians 
in  the  gallery,  or  whether  (which  I  always  most  incline  to  conclude  on) 
I  did  not  surrender  my  whole  mind  and  heart  to  the  performance,  I 
cannot  say ;  but,  though  desirous  to  do  well,  I  did  not  satisfy  myself 
in  Macbeth  as  I  did  on  this  day  fortnight.  The  very  best  passage  of 
the  night  was  the  soliloquy  in  the  first  act.  The  dagger  soliloquy  was 
not  bad,  although  twice  accompanied  by  the  blackguard  noises  of  these 
worst  specimens  of  human  nature,  the  Dublin  ruffians ;  the  murder  was 
mostly  good ;  but  I  want  my  natural  key.  Saw  Creighton  behind  the 
scenes,  who  was  very  cordial — was  this  because  I  had  an  opinion  from 
him  ?  Was  called  for  by  the  audience,  and  went  on  very  reluctantly ; 
was  very  much  fatigued,  and  sat  up  thinking  upon  the  money  I  received 
and  the  sums  I  had  expended.     Eheu  ! 

of  its  staff.     Though  of  the  "slashing"  school  of  writers,  they  hardly  deserved   to  be 
catalogued  with  such  journalists  as  Westmacott  and  Gregory,  who  were  bywords  in  the 
profession.     Sterling  was  the  father  of  the  more  famous  John  Sterling,  whose  biography  was 
written  by  Carlyle. 
190 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

October  21st. — Went  to  the  theatre,  calling  in  Calcraft's  room 
to  settle  some  business  with  him  of  the  Bridal  and  respecting  other 
casts.  Calcraft  does  not  raise  himself  in  my  opinion  by  his  mode  of 
transacting  business.  He  quite  sacrifices  his  interest  to  his  vanity  in 
his  mode  of  putting  his  plays  on  the  stage,  and  does  not  meet  the 
emergencies  of  business  with  that  clear,  searching  view  and  decision  in 
applying  remedies  or  expedients  which  make  the  wise  and  worldly  man 
successful.  He  trifles  with  time,  and  I  do  not  think  him,  therefore, 
safe  to  join  with  in  any  speculation  requiring  personal  exertion. 
Rehearsed  four  acts  of  the  Bridal.  I  am  quite  in  the  dark  as  to  its 
effects.  Went  to  see  Miss  Allison's  attempt  in  Juliet,  and  saw  a  very 
deplorable  exhibition — the  whole  play  was  bad ;  I  saw  Calcraft  after- 
wards to  talk  with  him  on  a  substitute  for  this  young  lady  in  the  event 
of  her  failure,  and  my  interview  with  him  quite  confirmed  my  late 
opinion.  When  business  of  a  particularly  dangerous  and  important 
character  is  coming  towards  him  he  wishes  to  blink  the  contemplation 
of  it.  Bad !  Read  the  Bridal,  and  cut  several  of  the  speeches  of  the 
young  lady's. 

October  22nd. — Went  to  the  rehearsal  of  the  Bridal,  where  again 
I  thought  Calcraft  very  unlike  a  man  of  business.  I  cease  to  wonder 
at  this  theatre  not  paying ;  he  is  not  an  active  and  observant  man  : 
his  eye  is  rarely  on  his  workmen.  Drilled  Miss  Allison  a  little,  who  is 
quite  unfit  for  Aspatia — utterly  below  it ;  but  Mr.  Calcraft  satisfies 
himself  by  saying  to  himself  (of  what  use  to  say  so  to  the  public  ?)  that 
she  is  the  best  he  has !     If  a  commodity  is  not  good  enough,  although 

the  best  in  the  shop,  the  customer  does  not  purchase.     He,  C , 

wants  stern  and  steady  principle.  Found  letters  from  Catherine, 
urging  me  to  succumb  to  Mr.  Bunn  (certes,  a  desperate  policy !),  and 
from  Dow,  who  is  most  kind. 

October  23rd. — Hurried  to  rehearsal  of  Werner,  after  which  the 
Bridal  was  begun ;  poor  little  Miss  Allison  was  so  bad  that  I  could  not 
remain  at  the  prompt  table ;  in  my  despair  I  sent  for  Miss  Hyland  and 
asked  her  if  she  had  any  objection  to  rehearse  a  little  of  Belvedera  to 
me.  She  went  through  the  first  scene  in  Calcraft's  room  so  decently 
that  I  asked  her  to  call  on  me  with  her  mother  and  hear  me  read 
Aspatia,  if  she  were  disposed  to  make  an  experiment  in  it.  She  very 
gladly  assented.  I  was  quite  in  a  nervous  state  from  the  rehearsal; 
when  shall  I  learn  philosophy?  Whatever  the  effect  of  this  may  be, 
it  will  be,  like  all  others  good  or  bad,  so  effaceable  that  it  is  folly  to 
add  to  its  own  disaster  the  pain  of  grieving  for  it.     Miss  Hyland  and 

191 


THE   DIARIES    OF   MACREADY  [1884 

her  mother  came,  and  I  read  the  first  act  of  Aspatia  to  them;  she 
promised  to  come  to  me  and  try  it  over  before  rehearsal  to-morrow. 
Went  to  the  theatre,  very  much  displeased  with  Calcraft  for  his 
unfriendly  behaviour  respecting  this  unhappy  play,  and  not  satisfied 
with  his  fair  dealing  in  it.  Tried  to  act  with  care  and  force,  and 
thought  I  did  much  of  the  character,  Werner,  in  my  best  manner,  but 
the  audience  were  not  enthusiastic,  which  I  wanted  them  to  be,  and 
I  was  dissatisfied  with  them,  and  inquired  if  the  fault  lay  with  me,  but 
I  think  it  did  not.  A  note  from  Mr.  Dillon  McNamara,  inviting  me 
to  dinner ;  and  a  letter  from  Jacob  Harvey,  with  a  pleasing  account 
of  Miss  Phillips's  success ;  on  which  dear  Catherine  had  written 
comfortable  news,  for  which  I  thank  God. 

October  ^Mh. — Answered  Mr.  McNamara's  invitation,  engaging 
myself  to  dinner  for  Wednesday  next.  Miss  Hyland  called,  and 
repeated  what  she  had  learnt — only  two  or  three  speeches — of  Aspatia, 
adding  her  inability  to  become  perfect  in  the  part  by  to-morrow 
evening,  which  was,  of  course,  conclusive  on  the  subject.  Went  to 
theatre  to  rehearse  the  Bridal,  which  detained  me  till  four  o'clock.  I 
think,  with  justice  done  to  it,  it  ought  to  succeed ;  but  there  are 
strong  objections  here,  and  I  have  neither  time  nor  tranquillity  to 
satisfy  myself  in  my  own  character.  Dr.  Lardner  came  in  to  rehearsal, 
and  went  into  a  box  to  look  at  a  little  of  it.  I  was  often  very  angry 
and  much  excited  during  the  rehearsal,  which  is  inexcusable ;  because 
the  only  palliative  that  offers  itself  is  in  the  very  little  time  afforded 
and  the  ill-disciplined  actors  employed  to  produce  the  play.  "  We  are 
in  Heaven's  hand!  "  Thought  over  the  two  last  acts  of  Melantius 
before  dinner,  and  tried  to  make  a  characteristic  conclusion — the  experi- 
ment only  can  decide  on  that.  After  dinner  sent  a  note  to  Calcraft 
about  the  daggers  required,  which  I  did  not  think  he  would  otherwise 
remember,  and  also  for  the  book  of  the  play  to  make  some  further 
excisions.  Went  over  the  whole  part  of  Melantius  with  much  care, 
and  now  I  have  only  to  do  my  best  and  to  hope  in  God  for  success. 
Whatever  He  sends  in  this  world  I  ought  to  have  learnt  to  trust  in  as 
best  for  me. 

October  25th. — Went  direct  to  rehearsal,  where  (an  ill  omen  1)  I 
found  a  scene  put  on  for  the  first  act  by  Mr.  Calcraft's  directions  which 
he  had  settled  for  the  second  with  me ;  this  was  the  beginning  of  the 
''arrangement."  Nothing  was  in  place  of  "everything"  that  had 
been  promised,  and  the  scenes  that  were  given  were  shabby  and  of  all 

dates  and  orders.     Mr.  C ,  who  had  never  yet  been  present  during 

192 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

a  rehearsal,  was,  as  usual,  a  mere  casual  visitor  during  this.  I  was 
hurt  by  the  utter  indifference  and  the  selfish  unconcern  this  gentleman 
showed,  as  well  as  by  two  or  three  light  and  pleasant  remarks  upon  the 
situation  in  which  we  stood.  I  have  done  him  some  kindness,  some 
service,  and  had  a  right  to  expect  a  little  more  consideration.  I  kept 
my  spirits  even,  like  a  man  who  wishes  to  "  die  with  decency  " ;  but 
before  the  end  of  the  rehearsal — three  o'clock — I  was  beaten  in  heart 
and  hope.  Laid  out  my  clothes  and  went  to  the  theatre.  Low  and 
distressed ;  forgot  the  beginning  of  my  first  speech  to  Amintor ;  acted 
as  I  used  to  act  three  or  four  years  ago,  not  like  myself  now.  Could 
not  do  what  I  proposed  at  rehearsal.  The  scene  with  Amintor  and 
Evadne  went  very  well,  that  between  Amintor  and  myself  very  well, 
also  that  with  Evadne ;  the  scene  with  the  King  and  the  last  with 
Evadne  fairly ;  Evadne 's  murder  scene  very  fairly,  but  no  enthusiasm 
throughout ;  the  poor  little  girl,  Miss  Allison,  was  quite  a  ddpaysage- 
ment.  The  audience  called  for  me  and  I  was  obliged  to  go  on. 
What  I  said  "I  had  better  have  kept  to  myself."  I  talked  of  the 
pleasure  I  had  in  announcing,  with  their  permission,  the  work  of  those 
bright  names  which  illuminated  the  brilliant  atmosphere  of  our  poetical 
region  (qn.  :  what  does  this  mean?),  "those  twin  stars,"  etc., 
touched  by  the  hand  of  our  highly-gifted  countrymen,  Knowles,  etc. 
I  hesitated  so  much  as  to  be  quite  unhappy.  Mr.  Calcraft  came  into 
my  room  and  talked  for  a  long  time,  '*  but  not  to  the  purpose,"  feeling 
I  was  dissatisfied,  and  trying  to  find  causes  in  the  play  for  the  moderate 
success  it  experienced,  and  declaring  his  opinion  that  Miss  Allison  had 
no  material  whatever,  etc.,  asking  me  to  dine  with  him  to-morrow, 
which  I  declined. 

October  ^6th. — The  thoughts  of  yesterday  haunted  me.  I  strove 
to  avoid  them,  and  rushed  to  any  other  ideas,  good  or  bad,  to  fill  my 
imagination  and  exclude  the  painful  recollections  of  yesterday.  I 
could  not  get  up,  and  was  wasting  time  and  thought  in  bed.  Relief 
came  to  me  in  the  words  of  a  sweet  letter  from  my  beloved  wife,  with 
accounts  of  herself  and  my  blessed  children.  My  God !  how  constant 
should  be  my  thoughts  of  thankfulness  and  praise  towards  Thee  for 
the  precious  blessings  I  enjoy  in  my  dear  home !  Rose,  and  just  as 
I  finished  dressing  was  visited  by  Dr.  Lardner,  who  was  going  to  the 
Provost's  to  breakfast.  He  told  me  of  the  engine  on  the  Liverpool 
railway  going  from  Newton  to  Manchester  at  the  rate  of  sixty  miles 
an  hour.  I  promised  to  procure  him  orders.  Wrote,  which  was  to 
me  a  comforting  occupation,  to  dear  Catherine.  I  wrote  to  Bunn  a 
VOL,  I.  o  193 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

letter  adhering  to  my  terms,  but  on  reflection  thought  that  nothing 
could  be  lost  by  waiting,  as  such  a  letter  could  be  written  at  any  time ; 
and  in  taking  a  decisive  step,  it  is  well  to  be  certain,  if  it  is  possible, 
of  the  consequences.  Approve  the  revokement  of  my  purpose.  Went 
out  to  drink  tea  with  Miss  Huddart.  Spent  the  evening  with  her, 
talking  much  on  the  event  of  last  night,  she  feeling  and  perceiving 
Mr.  Calcraft's  neglectful  and  heartless  behaviour ;  conversing,  too,  on 
poetry  and  literature.  She  showed  me  what  I  had  not  noted.  Sir 
W.  Raleigh's  Poem  to  his  Soul — a  charming  morceau.  Spent  a 
tranquil,  rational,  and  irreproachable  evening. 

October  21th. — Before  going  to  the  theatre,  I  was  anxious,  very 
anxious,  to  see  the  newspapers  on  my  poor  ill-  or  hardly-treated  play. 
I  could  not  bear  to  go  to  rehearsal  until  I  knew  the  extent  of  what  I 
had  to  bear.  My  relief  was  great,  and  my  satisfaction  amounted  to 
positive  pleasure  on  reading  the  highest  praise  of  the  adaptation  in 
all  of  them.  My  quotation  of  the  "  twin  stars  "  redeemed  the  bungling 
of  my  speech  and  was  noticed  with  commendation.  I  could  not  have 
desired  more  eulogistic  comments,  and  went  to  the  theatre  in  a  very 
comfortable  state  of  mind.  Calcraft  met  me,  evidently  with  an  uneasy 
sense  of  his  unjust  behaviour ;  he  told  Miss  Huddart  afterwards  that 
I  was  "  sulky,"  but  she  answered  that  she  thought  me  in  a  very  good 
temper.     I  only  rehearsed  my  own  scenes  of  the  play,  going  off  the 

stage  when  not  wanted.     C asked  me  about  the  scenes  of  Sardana- 

palus,  which  I  explained  to  him,  the  painter,  and  carpenter.  He 
importuned  me  to  give  an  opinion  on  the  comparative  want  of  capacity 
in  his  ladies  to  play  Zarina,  which  I  steadily  refused  to  do.  Miss 
Huddart  called  to  see  the  papers,  and  I  asked  her  to  direct  one  set  of 
them  to  Bunn,  which  she  did.  A  letter  from  Forster  gave  me  some 
theatrical  gossip,  and  made  me  rejoice  at  the  arrest  of  my  purpose  to 
write  yesterday.  Was  over-excited ;  could  only  think  of  the  Bridal, 
and  the  effect  of  the  tidings  on  Bunn,  etc.  Acted  Virginius  to  an 
excellent  house  in  a  manner  very  unworthy  of  myself.  The  only  part 
I  did  at  all  well  was  the  beginning  of  the  fourth  act.  I  must  resume 
my  study,  or  I  shall  retrogade.  Dr.  Lardner  came  into  my  room. 
Invited  me  to  the  railway  on  Wednesday — promised  to  come  to  Elstree 
at  Christmas. 

October  28t/i. — Stayed  at  home  all  day,  and  became  listless,  weary 

and  drowsy;  this  day  to  me  has  been  in  the  most  exact  sense  "  weary, 

flat  and  unprofitable,"  but  my  own  want  of  energy  has  been  the  cause. 

I  must  rouse  myself,  or  I  perceive  consequences  which  are  painful  to 

194 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

contemplate.  This  Bridal  has  thrown  me  off  my  centre.  I  find  Shell 
was  in  Dublin,  and  in  the  theatre  during  the  representation  on 
Saturday,  but  he  did  not  show  himself  to  me.  The  time  has  been  he 
would  have  been  too  glad  to  have  done  so,  but,  according  to  the  old 
example  in  the  Latin  grammar,  tempora  mutantur,  etc.  My  own 
shyness,  perhaps,  or  neglect  justifies  him ;  I  have  no  angry  thought 
about  it.  Acted  Melantius  to  an  indifferent  house  indifferently.  I 
must  study  the  character,  if  I  ever  act  it  in  London. 

October  29th. — Received  a  note  from  Sheil  informing  me  of  his 
being  in  town  and  wishing  me  to  dine  with  him  to-day.     Read  a  little 
of  King  Lear.     Sent  a  newspaper  to  Dow  and  answered  Sheil 's  note. 
Looked  over  the  remaining  nights  of  my  engagement,  and  endeavoured 
to  make  some  arrangement  of  my  plays  for  them,  but  the  desperate 
state  of  Sardanapalus  as  to  any  promise  of  attraction  leaves  me  quite 
at  a  loss.     Miss  Huddart  going  through  the  shop,  stopped  and  told 
me  that  there  had  been  a  rehearsal  of  Sardanapalus  and  that  Mr. 
Calcraft  almost  seemed  disposed  to  quarrel  with  her.   Walked  out  to  the 
Military  Hospital ;  the  day  was  beautiful,  and  the  view  up  the  river 
of  the  gate  at  the  bridge,  the  obelisk  and  park  very  striking.     Met 
Colonel  and  Miss   D'Aguilar  at  the  gate  of  the  Hospital.     Bulwer 
came  up,  to  whom  he  introduced  me ;  he  invited  me  to  dine  on  Friday, 
and,  as  I  would  not  hear  of  his  returning,  they  pursued  their  ride,  and 
I  called  on  Mrs.  D'Aguilar,  with  whom  I  found  Lady  Vivian,  whom 
I  did  not  admire  nor  like,  and  some  other  women,  equally  unnoticeable. 
Learnt  from  Mrs.  D'Aguilar  that  Mrs.  I^eigh  had  sent  me  the  lock 
of  Lord  Byron's  hair.^    Returning,  I  called  on  Sheil,  who  was  absent, 
and  on  William  McCready,  whom  I  found  at  dinner  with  his  family — 
three  very  fine  children  ;   it  pained  me  to  see  them,   for  I   fear  his 
imprudence  has  very  much  straitened  their  means.     At  my  lodgings 
I  got  a  note  from  McNamara,  and,  while  dressing  for  dinner,  Sheil 
came  in  and,  inviting  me  to  supper,  stayed  with  me  till  dressed,  and 
then  I  walked  with  him  to  Morrison's,  thence  to  McNamara.     Was 
agreeably  disappointed  in   the  party,   among   whom   were   some   very 
pleasant  men  :  old  Mr.  Burroughs,  the  advocate  of  Emmet  ^  and  one 
of  the  opposers  of  the  Union,  Mr.  Tench,  etc.,  the  Lord  Mayor — really 
I  spent  a  pleasant  evening.     Supped  with  Sheil,  which  I  liked  much 
better,  and  came  home  very  late.     He  gave  me  a  good  hint  on  Lear. 

^  See  p.  1 20,  and  note. 

^  Robert  Emmet  (1778-1803),  the  Irish  rebel  executed  in  1803;   the  "young  hero" 
alluded  to  in  Moore's  famous  lyric  "  She  is  far  from  the  land,"  etc. 

O  2  195 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

October  30th. — Heard  Calcraft  enter  the  drawing-room,  before 
I  had  left  my  bed.  I  rose  and  spoke  to  him  on  the  subject  of  his 
visit,  which  was  the  arrangement  of  the  plays.  Again  I  perceived  not 
only  a  want  of  that  steady  industry  and  vigilant  circumspection 
necessary  in  such  an  undertaking  as  this,  but  also  a  want  of  capacity. 
The  engagement  he  has  made  with  me,  unless  he  intended  to  make  a 
serious  and  vigorous  effort  towards  ensuring  the  attraction  of  Sar- 
danapalusy  was  ill-judged  in  every  way — too  quick  upon  the  heels  of  the 
last,  and  too  long  in  itself.  Had  I  not  put  faith  in  his  assurance  that 
he  would  "get  up  "  Sardanapalus,  I  should  never  have  given  my  time 
in  making  a  prompt-book,  have  reduced  my  insurance  to  such  a  sum, 
nor  have  gone  to  the  heavy  expense  I  have  done  for  my  dress — useless 
to  me  on  any  other  occasion ;  I  am  minus  a  very  considerable  sum  by 
this  understanding.  I  rehearsed  Tell,  and,  at  Mr.  Calcraft's  request,' 
went  into  his  room,  where  I  was  disgusted  with  hearing  him  talk  to 
his  painter  and  carpenter  on  the  subject  of  the  scenery,  which  evidently 
not  one  of  them  understood — and  the  play  to  be  done  on  Saturday ! 
He  asked  me  what  dresses  the  characters  were  to  wear ! !  !  The  great 
scene  of  the  Hall  of  Nimrod  the  painter  knew  nothing  about,  and  was 
sent  away  to  look  for  something  I ! !  I  was  wearied  and  disgusted,  and 
glad  to  come  away.  Called  on  Miss  Hudciart  and  spoke  to  her  about 
Myrrha.  I  find  a  sympathy  in  her  friendship,  a  strong,  good  sense  in 
her  observations,  and  an  acuteness  of  penetration  that  makes  her  society 
soothing  and  pleasing  to  me — it  is,  in  fact,  relief.  Dined  and  read  the 
Examiner;  became  drowsy  as  I  was  going  to  the  theatre,  where, 
however,  I  acted  much  of  William  Tell  in  very  good  style,  chastely 
and  powerfully.  In  the  second  act  I  was  not  called,  and  the  stage 
waited ;  the  whole  play  was  so  shamefully  managed  that  Mr.  Calcraft 
came  and,  more  suo,  scolded.  What  that  is  to  do  of  good  I  have 
yet  to  learn.  Was  called  for  by  the  audience,  to  whom  I  made  my 
bow. 

October  Slst. — Was  not  up  so  soon  as  I  should  have  been,  and  went 
directly  to  rehearsal,  where  I  had  to  lament  neglected  opportunity. 
The  play  of  Sardanapalus  might  have  been  done  to  draw  money ;  I  fear 
it  cannot  now.  The  more  I  see  and  hear  of  Mr.  Calcraft,  the  more  he 
shows  me  his  uneasy  consciousness  of  having  done  an  injustice  by  me ; 
he  would  not  be  at  such  pains  to  reason  and  endeavour  to  persuade 
upon  the  subject  if  he  were  satisfied  with  himself.  Rehearsed  Sar- 
danapalus without  a  scene  or  property.  Returning  to  my  lodgings,  I 
read  over  the  third  act  scene  of  Myrrha  to  Miss  Huddart ;  received  a 
196 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

dear  and  blessed  letter  from  my  own  Catherine,  also  a  note  from 
Mr.  Colles  inviting  me  to  dinner.  Met,  at  Colonel  D'Aguilar's,  Bulwer, 
whom  I  liked  very  much ;  Sir  Hussey  Vivian,  whom  I  thought  very 
amiable  and  agreeable ;  Major  Forster  and  Mrs.  Forster,  whom  I  was 
struck  with  for  her  animation  and  smartness — whom  I  should  like  very 
much  as  any  other  man's  wife,  though  not  so  well  as  my  own.  I  passed 
a  very  pleasant  day.  Bulwer  was  quite  what  Shell  described  him, 
very  good-natured  and,  of  course,  intelligent.  I  was  amused  by  an 
anecdote  he  reported  of  Hume,^  accosting  Lord  Hill  at  the  Fire  of 
Westminster  Hall :  "  My  lord  !  my  lord  ! — there  are  but  eight  pioneers 
here,  and  the  country  pays  for  ten."  Sir  H.  Vivian  spoke  with  great 
confidence  on  the  probable  collision  of  the  two  Houses  before  two  years 
had  passed.  I  urged  Bulwer  to  write  a  play ;  he  told  me  he  had  written 
one,  great  part  of  which  was  lost,  on  the  death  of  Cromwell.  In  the 
drawing-room  I  found  Colonel  Mitchell,  with  whom  I  got  into  a  long 
conversation,  and  from  whom  I  heard  first  of  the  basaltic  columns  in 
Auvergne.  Saw  Lady  Vivian,  but  came  not  near  her.  Got  into  an 
amusing  discussion  with  a  very  intelligent  and  naive  young  lady. 
Colonels  D'Aguilar  and  Mitchell,  on  moral  philosophy,  in  which  I  was 
greatly  entertained  by  the  young  lady's  pertinent  observations  and 
acuteness.  Bulwer  offered  to  set  me  down,  and  hoped  to  meet  me  in 
London. 

November  1st. — Again  late  in  bed,  which  makes  my  rehearsal  the 
beginning  of  the  day.  Previous  to  its  commencement  an  aide-de- 
camp of  Sir  Hussey  Vivian  brought  Calcraft  and  myself  invitations 
to  dinner  from  him  for  to-morrow.  I  was  perplexed  as  the  bearer 
was  urgent,  and  on  the  spot  I  said  I  would  endeavour  to  come. 
Rehearsed  without  properties  and  with  partial  scenery — Vaffaire  etait 
assez  mauvaise  !  Leaving,  I  went  up  with  Calcraft  to  the  railway 
office  to  endeavour  to  see  Lardner  and  sound  him  on  to-morrow ;  I  did 
not  in  my  heart  wish  to  be  released  from  his  engagement,  but  I  thought 
it  as  well  to  make  so  much  outward  demonstration  of  not  being  back- 
ward   to    make    the    experiment.      We    could    not    gain    admittance. 

Returning,  I  found  a  note  at  the  theatre  from  him,  L ,  which  put 

it  out  of  my  power  to  make  any  alteration  ;  showed  the  note  to  Calcraft, 
who  acknowledged  the  impossibility  of  making  an  excuse.  At  my 
lodgings  I  found  Sheil  and  a  letter  from  Bunn,  requiring  an  answer  to 
his  former ;  also  one  from  Mrs.  McC for  orders.     Sheil  stayed  and 

^  Joseph  Hume  ( 1777- 1855),  the  well-known  advocate  of  economy  and  retrenchment ; 
entered  Parliament  as  a  Tory,  but  subsequently  sat  as  an  advanced  Radical. 

197 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

chatted  long ;  he  is  extremely  agreeable.  Had  scarcely  more  than  time 
to  dine  and  lay  out  my  clothes,  before  I  was  obliged  to  return  to  the 
theatre.  I  was  again,  as  on  last  Saturday,  worn  out  and  dispirited 
by  the  long  and  unsatisfactory  rehearsal — properties  not  forthcoming ; 
acted,  as  might  be  expected,  very  coldly  and  very  unlike  my  former 
representations  of  the  part.  In  the  very  first  scene  the  ottoman  which 
I  had  to  use  through  the  play  had  cushions  stuffed  with  straw,  and 
covered  on  all  sides  but  one !  It  was  quite  discomposing  to  any  purpose 
of  playing.  I  was  miserable ;  played  without  spirits,  flatly,  heavily, 
badly.  I  could  not  help  myself.  Letter  from  H.  Smith  offering  me 
the  Bath  theatre. 

November  2nd. — Rose  very  late,  and  before  I  had  sat  down  to 
breakfast  Dr.  Lardner  called,  with  whom  I  made  an  appointment  to 
walk  to  Monkstown  at  two.  Received  a  dear  letter  from  my  beloved 
wife,  and  immediately  wrote  out  the  letter  to  Mr.  Bunn  of  which  I 
had  made  the  draft  last  night.  I  adhered  to  my  point,  in  which  I 
hope  and  believe  I  am  right.  God  grant  it !  Wrote  a  note  to 
Calcraft,  withdrawing  Othello  from  my  list,  in  which  I  am  not  easy, 
and  which  I  have  no  motive  for  acting  with  the  very  inefficient  cast 
of  the  theatre ;  to  Woulds,  putting  the  direct  question  to  him  for 
yes  or  no  on  his  desire  to  have  a  share  in  the  Bath  theatre ;  to  H. 
Smith,  stating  the  only  terras  on  which  I  would  be  concerned  in  it ;  to 
my  dearest  Catherine,  wishing  her  to  invite  her  sister  to  stay  with 
her.  Called  on  Dr.  Lardner,  and  set  out  with  him  through  the  rail- 
way office,  where  I  saw  the  model,  the  carriages,  etc.,  along  the  railway 
to  Monkstown.      The  view   in   many   parts  is  very  beautiful,   and  I 

enjoyed  the  scene,  the  exercise  and  my  company.     Met  Tom  McC 

near  Monkstown,  and  chatted  with  him  a  short  time.  Reached  Mr. 
Busby's  (having  met  and  been  introduced  to  Messrs.  Pym,  who 
regretted  my  exclusion  on  Saturday  from  the  experimental  runs)  where 
our  dinner  party  was  made  up  of  Mr.  Oldham,^  a  man  of  scientific 
acquirements    and   much   humour,    a    Mr.    and    Mrs.    Kinahan,    and 

Mr.  .     The  dinner  equipage  was  very  handsome,  and  I  spent  a 

very  pleasant  day — more  interesting  and  more  agreeable  than  I  should 
have  done,  I  think,  at  Sir  H.  Vivian's.  Heard  anecdotes  and  account 
of  I-eslie,  which  interested  me.  Mrs.  Busby  sang  very  pleasingly,  and 
the  landscape  illustrations  of  the  Bible  kept  my  thoughts  agreeably, 
delightfully  occupied.     Mr.  Oldham  invited  me  to  see  the  Bank  at  a 

^  John  Oldham  (1779-1840)  invented  machinery  for  printing  and  numbering  of  bank- 
notes ;  also  paddle-wheels  for  steamers. 
198 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

quarter  before  one  on  Tuesday  and  to  dine  with  him  on  Wednesday ; 
to  both  I  said  yes.  Mr.  Kinahan  brought  us  home  in  a  sort  of 
''sociable,"  through  one  of  the  loveHest  nights  that  ever  blessed  the 
earth — Mr.  Oldham  giving  us  imitations  of  the  old  Dublin  actors  on 
the  way — and  I  delighting  in  the  sea  and  stars  so  beautifully  bright. 
Could  not  get  to  sleep  till  past  four  o'clock. 

November  Srd. — Thought  over  the  first  scene  of  the  play,  and  went 
to  the  theatre.  The  house  was  very  bad,  which  will  induce  Mr. 
Calcraft  to  say  that  "nothing  will  draw."  Do  men  of  such  a  degree 
of  understanding  deserve  the  opportunities  with  which  they  are 
favoured?  Acted  Sardanapalus  extremely  well,  even  to  a  dull,  bad, 
dispirited  house ;  the  dream  was  particularly  in  earnest,  and  the  per- 
formance was  sustained  throughout.  Dr.  Lardner  came  into  my  room, 
and  sat  for  some  little  time.  He  mentioned  to  me  that  Oldham  at 
one  time  was  starving  at  Kilkenny,  when  after  long  neglect  a  letter 
reached  him  from  the  Bank,  the  postage  of  which  he  had  not  money 
to  pay !  He  pawned  his  furniture  to  get  to  Dublin,  where  on  the 
production  of  his  plan  the  Bank  of  Ireland  settled  ,£200  per  annum 
on  him,  which  they  increased  to  X500,  and  on  Vansittart's  ^  noticing 
him  to  £1000.     Saw  nothing  of  Calcraft. 

November  Mh. — Again !  and  again !  I  shall  really  sink  into  indo- 
lence and  sensuality  altogether  if  I  do  not  make  some  permanent  reform 
in  my  habits.  I  rose  at  a  shamefully  late  hour  this  morning.  Received 
a  note  from  Calcraft  with  a  play  to  read,  which  I  could  have  well 
dispensed  with ;  I  think  he  has  had  enough  of  my  time  and  I  grudge 
any  more  to  him.  Note  from  Mr.  Oldham,  reminding  me  of  my 
appointment,  and  my  invitation  to  dinner.  Made  up  a  parcel  of  the 
Bridal  for  Forster,  and  sent  a  letter  to  him  by  the  post.  Mrs.  Fos- 
brooke  called  to  ask  for  my  intercession  with  Mr.  Calcraft  for  better 
business,  which  I  explained  to  her  was  useless,  and  sent  her  to  him. 
Went  to  my  appointment  with  Oldham  at  the  Bank ;  was  surprised  and 
delighted  at  the  beautiful  contrivances  to  economize  labour  and  prevent 
fraud ;  to  ensure  the  safety  of  the  building  from  fire,  and  the  health  of 
the  workmen ;  the  mode  of  damping  the  paper  was  simple  and  beautiful 
and  the  check  upon  deception  equally  so — the  telegraphic  communica- 
tion by  numbers,  and  the  mode  of  keeping  accounts  all  in  the  most 
certain  and  simple  manner.  His  improvement  on  the  lithotritical 
instrument  showed  great  ingenuity.  I  was  very  much  gratified,  though 
my  nerves  twisted  under  the  description  of  lithotrity.     Dr.   Lardner 

*  The  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer  ;  afterwards  Lord  Bexley. 

199 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

called  to  invite  me  to  dine  at  Busby's  on  Friday,  which  I  could  not 
do.  Forgot  to  notice  a  great  rudeness  I  was  guilty  of,  through  £or- 
getfulness  or  absence — leaving  the  gentlemen  to  whom  I  had  been 
introduced  without  notice — I  felt  ashamed  and  uncomfortable  in 
thinking  of  it.  Took  up  the  play  sent  by  Calcraft,  and  read  it  through 
with  interest,  emotion,  and  pleasure ;  if  I  could — which  I  cannot — trust 
ray  first  impression,  it  would  be  most  favourable.  Began  the  part  of 
Virginius,  with  my  mind  upon  the  Provost  of  Bruges,  the  MS.  just 
read,  and  was  very  flat ;  still,  wishing  to  act  well,  I  rallied  in  the  third 
act,  which  I  acted  really  well — with  energy  and  taste — and  finished 
the  part  in  corresponding  spirit.  Colonel  D'Aguilar  was  there.  Spoke 
to  Calcraft  about  the  play,  repressing  the  expression  of  the  high 
opinion  I  had  of  it  which  it  had  been  well  I  had  always  done ;  it  is  well, 
however,  to  be  discreet  at  last.  Began  a  letter  to  Mr.  Lovell.^  Read 
the  Provost  of  Bruges  again  in  bed. 

November  5th. — Was  really  delighted  to  find  myself  in  my  bath 
at  7  this  morning.  Went  to  the  railway  office,  where  I  found  Mr. 
Pym,  Colonel  Burgoyne  and  one  of  the  steam-engine  constructors,  but 
no  Dr.  Lardner !  After  waiting  some  time  we  sat  down  to  coffee — 
the  conversation  entirely  scientific — to  which  I  was,  of  course,  a 
listener.  We  went  out,  and  after  due  preparation  started  in  an  open 
carriage  with  the  Vauxhall  Engine  for  Kingstown ;  the  wind  was  in 
our  faces,  but  it  was  very  pleasant ;  returning,  the  view  was  beautiful ; 
quite  charming.  A  serious  accident  had  nearly  occurred :  a  man 
opened  one  of  the  gates ;  an  old  policeman  ran  across  the  road  to  stop 
him  and  shut  it — the  engine  was  close,  he  had  only  time  to  throw 
himself  down,  the  carriage  struck  the  gate  and  carried  off  one  of  its 
steps :  the  old  man  cut  his  hand  and  bruised  his  knee,  and  no  doubt 
was  seriously  frightened,  but  he  bore  it  well ;  we  went  back,  but  he  was 
put  upon  another  engine  and  carried  to  a  house  to  lie  at  rest  for  a 
day  or  two.  The  party  were  going  to  Monkstown  to  breakfast,  but  on 
arriving  at  the  station  I  made  my  bow  and  came  to  my  lodgings, 
where  I  wrote  to  Mr.  Lovell  on  his  play ;  received  a  note  from  Colles, 
deferring    his    party ;    wrote    a    note   of   inquiry   to    Miss   Huddart ; 

received  a  letter  from  Mrs.  McC wishing  me  to  go  to  Cardiff, 

which  I  answered  in  the  negative,  it  being  impossible.  Miss  Allison 
called  and  gossiped ;  Mr.  B.  Kelly,  author,  the  same.  Miss  Huddart 
answered  my  note.  I  wrote  to  my  dearest  Catherine.  Began  once 
more  the  Provost  of  Bruges;  whilst  reading  Sheil  called,  condemned 

J  Author  of  the  Provost  of  Bruges. 
200 


1834]  THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Sardanapalus  and  objected  to  the  coarseness  of  Miss  Huddart's  voice 
and  manner — a  general  and  true  objection.  Pursued  my  task  of 
reading  the  Provost  of  Bruges,  and  made  several  remarks  tending  to 
remove  the  defects  in  the  conduct  of  the  story.  Dr.  Lardner  and 
Mr.  Busby  called  and  took  me  to  Mr.  Oldham's;  I  met  Dr.  Butler, 
who  sang  a  song  in  praise  of  water,  because  it  gave  and  brought  us 
"  Wine,  Rosy  Wine,"  very  well — Dr.  Smith — a  charming  singer.  His 
duet,  "  Could  Man  be  secure  that  his  Life  would  endure,"  his  song  of 
"  Why  Soldiers  "  of  General  Wolfe,  were  really  masterpieces.  Hay, 
who  played  a  piece  of  his  in  such  a  style  that  the  vocal  was  lost  in 
the  instrumental  music — ^Robinson — Pym — Dr.  Okie — Surgeon  Cramp- 
ton  ^  came  in  in  the  course  of  the  evening.  Oldham's  story  of  the 
Fogerty  was  admirable — his  best. 

November  6th. — Rose  late,  and  while  at  my  toilet  gave  my  thought 
to  Othello  and  Hamlet.  While  making  memoranda  Miss  Allison  called 
to  ask  me  to  hear  her  in  Amanthis  :  I  deferred  it,  and  she  remained, 
amusing  me  by  her  innocent  and  playful  conversation,  ending  with  a 
request  for  a  lock  of  my  hair ;  I  sent  her  away  with  a  note  to  Calcraft 
about  Dr.  Lardner's  box.  Went  out,  and  called  on  Miss  Huddart  to 
ask  Mrs.  Donnelly's  good  offices  in  the  purchase  of  my  linen ;  Mr. 
Brown  called  and  I  left  him  there.  Purchased  the  poplins  which 
Catherine  requested,  and  an  additional  one  for  her :  also  liqueurs  and 
anchovies,  another  commission ;  pencils ;  left  a  card  at  Colonel  King's, 
and  returning,  Calcraft  called  to  ask  me  about  the  play  for  Tuesday 
next,  the  Marchioness's  visit :  ^  I  approved  of  Werner,  and  he  wrote 
the  note  to  the  Park,  deciding  on  it.  Letters  from  dearest  Catherine ; 
Mr.  Knowles,  offering  the  Bath  Theatre  to  me  for  £700 ;  rent  and 
taxes ;  and  from  Bunn,  resisting  my  demand.  Went  to  the  theatre, 
where  I  wished  to  act  Werner  in  my  best  style,  but  wanted  preparation 
and  singleness  of  purpose  for  it,  was  angry,  and  strove  to  tranquillize 
myself;  seeing  Calcraft  much  dispirited,  all  my  displeased  thoughts 
left  me.  I  am  certainly  very  irascible,  but  not  slow  to  be  appeased. 
Lord  Glengall  met  me  in  Westmoreland  Street  this  morning,  and  held 
me  nearly  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  discussing  the  state  of  the  London 
theatres.  After  the  play  Dr.  Lardner  came  into  my  room  and  sat  some 
time,  as  did  Calcraft ;  they  both  seemed  of  opinion  that  I  might  safely 
withstand  Bunn's  attempts  to  bring  me  down.  I  feel  in  a  certain 
degree  independent  of  him  ;  but  chiefly  think  I  ought  not  to  let  him 

*  Philip  Crampton  (1777-1858),  F.R.S.,  an  eminent  Dublin  surgeon  ;  created  a  baronet. 
'  The  Marchioness  Wellesley,  wife  of  the  Lord- Lieutenant. 

201 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1884 

think  I  want  him.     Spent  two  hours  in  thinking  on  this  subject,  and 
making  rough  calculations  on  Bath. 

November  1th. — Was  called  in  good  time,  but  lay  in  bed  ruminat- 
ing and  casting  up  figures  upon  this  Bath  speculation,  which  assumes 
a  very  probable  aspect  of  success.  The  more  I  look  at  Mr.  Bunn's 
situation,  and  search  for  the  likely  results  of  this  season,  the  less  cause 
I  see  for  anxiety  to  be  in  his  power ;  and  to  go  to  him  on  his  estimate 
of  my  worth  with  the  means  of  insulting  me,  which  he  thinks  he  has  in 
the  persons  who  now  fill  my  characters,  would  be  unavailing  for  any 
good  purpose ;  I  am  disposed  to  dismiss  the  negotiation  at  once,  but 
that  I  am  reluctant  to  charge  myself  with  the  consequences,  should 
they  be  untoward ;  I  therefore  make  what  preparation  I  can  against 
my  absence,  and  commit  the  event  to  Providence,  resolving  not  to 
give  way  to  Mr.  Bunn.  Sent  note  to  Calcraft — wishing  to  see  him ; 
he  came,  and  I  inquired  of  him  the  expense  of  his  company,  was  amazed 
to  hear  him  state  it  at  £120 — it  is  not  worth  more  than  half  that  sum. 
I  talked  about  Bath,  which  he  seemed  to  think  very  safe.  He  appears 
greatly  dispirited — still  looking  forward  to  future  nights  in  which  there 
is  no  hope  beyond  a  decent  average.  The  truth  is,  had  he  not  deceived 
me  and  himself  by  throwing  the  engagement  on  Sardanapalus  and  then 
bringing  it  out  in  this  trashy  manner,  I  should  have  come  for  a  fort- 
night, which  would  have  given  me  and  him  within  .£60  as  much  as 
the  month  will  do ;  it  is  too  bad. 

November  8th. — Still  not  improved  in  my  hours  of  rising,  which 
is  very  bad.  Mr.  Patrick  O'Reilly  sent  for  an  answer  to  his  applica- 
tion, and  another  petition  came,  from  an  old  offender  also,  both  of 
which  I  resolutely  denied.  Thought — why  do  I  not  do  more  than 
think  ? — on  my  profession — the  necessity  that  there  is,  if  I  wish  to 
steadily  persevere,  for  applying  myself  to  study.  I  must  do  so,  or  meet 
the  inevitable  consequences:  no  man  can  excel  without  labour;  or 
rather  I  should  say  without  exercise,  it  is  disinclination  that  makes 
it  labour.  Wrote  and  returned  poor  Mr.  Bigeri's  play ;  he  states 
that  he  is  a  poor  man,  though  of  a  properly  independent  spirit,  which 
I  greatly  respect — homo  sum;  he  has  a  feeling  for  poetry,  but 
not  the  faculty  to  write  it,  and  so  I  told  him.  Wrote  a  few  more 
lines,  and  sealed  my  letter  to  dear  Catherine.  Practised  profession- 
ally a  little  Othello.  Miss  Allison  called  and  told  me  of  last  night's 
house,  which  I  heard  was  £14 ! !  !  Went  to  theatre,  where  I  saw  a 
Dublin  paper,  in  which  was  a  letter  from  Sheil  to  Lord  Wellesley ; 
and  a  correspondence  on  Littleton's  behalf,  calling  on  Lord  London- 
202 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

derry  for  explanation ;  he  thought — so  the  papers  had  reported — that 
Londonderry  had  impHed  he  was  a  knave — he  had  only  insinuated  that 
he  was  a  fool ;  which  was,  of  course,  satisfactory,  and  there  the  matter 
rests. ^  Went  into  Calcraft's  room,  who  wished  to  consult  me  on  a 
complaint  he  had  received  from  Mrs.  Hamilton  of  Mr.  Pritchard 
engaging  her  daughter's  affections,  and  declining  to  state  his  intentions  ; 
the  girl  is  not  more  than  seventeen ;  this  is  very  bad.  I  advised  him 
to  point  out  to  him  as  a  friend  the  danger  he,  Pritchard,  was  incurring 
by  his  conduct,  if  the  Dublin  gallery  should  get  wind  of  the  fact — and 
went  into  particulars.  Calcraft  decided  on  adopting  the  method, 
complimenting  me  as  a  Machiavel. 

November  11th. — The  Age  newspaper  from  Calcraft  with  imperti- 
nent notice  of  myself ;  what  a  filthy  wretch  is  that  Mr.  Westmacott, 
but  not  more  so  than  Mr.  Bunn !  Wished  to  act  Werner  well,  as  the 
Marchioness  Wellesley  was  to  be  at  the  theatre,  but  she  did  not  come 
(ill),  and  it  was  an  audience  attracted  chiefly  by  her  and  not  myself, 
which  makes  it  very  hard  to  kindle  them  to  enthusiasm.  I  acted 
unequally — striving  against  my  own  feeling  of  hors  de  moi,  and  many 
annoyances,  particularly  Mr.  Pritchard's  imperfectness,  and  a  drunken 
man  talking  loud.  Some  things  I  did  very  well.  Miss  Huddart  held 
me  to  my  promise  to  visit  her  on  Sunday,  as  she  said  it  was  her  last 
chance.  The  house  was  very  good.  Calcraft  came  into  my  room  to 
abuse  Pritchard. 

November  12th. — Refreshed  and  strengthened  by  my  sleep  last 
night,  I  went  to  rehearsal  of  Hamlet,  with  which  I  took  much  pains, 
but  did  not  feel  myself,  as  I  like  to  do,  free  from  effort,  prompt  and 
spontaneous  in  my  passion,  with  complete  absence  of  all  muscular 
exertion.  Went  to  the  theatre  collected  and  at  ease,  but  not  with 
that  certainty  of  preserving  the  tout  ensemble  that  in  the  characters 
of  Shakspeare  I  am  ambitious  of  doing.  I  felt  confident  of  being 
very  fair,  but  not  entirely  Hamlet.  My  performance  seemed  to  give 
great  satisfaction,  and  there  were  a  great  many  things  that  I  did  really 
well — scenes  that  I  played  well.  Some  of  the  first  act  was  good — 
particularly  the  concluding  soliloquy,  from  time  and  self-possession ; 
the  third  act  had  much  to  praise,  the  soliloquy,  scene  with  Ophelia, 
part  of  advice,  part  of  closet  scene — the  rest  was  to  me  unsatisfactory, 
the  grave-scene  was  not  good  till  Laertes's  entrance — the  death  was 
very  well,  and  the  whole  of  last  scene.     Calcraft  came  into  my  room 

^  The  third  marquis,  a  vituperative  Tory  of  the  most  bigoted  type.     Littleton's  indiscre- 
tion (see  note,  p.  l6o)  was,  of  course,  a  capital  asset  for  the  Opposition. 

203 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

and  seemed  quite  satisfied  in  thinking  this  will  be  one  of  my  Dublin 
plays — it  ought  to  be,  for  there  is  more  thought  in  it  than  in  all  I  do. 
Supped  on  oysters. 

November  ISth. — Received  a  newspaper  from  home,  but  no  letter ; 
I  thought  Mr.  Bunn  would  have  written,  but  I  have  perhaps  imagined 
myself  of  more  consequence  to  him  than  he  considers  me ;  I  am  not 
sorry  that  affairs  stand  as  they  do  so  long  as  I  have  reason  to  believe 
that  they  are  not  prosperous  to  the  management  at  London.  Went 
to  the  theatre  to  rehearse  Lear,  which  I  did  very  badly,  and  what 
is  worse  in  very  bad  temper.  Ridiculous  as  it  is,  I  really  believe  the 
cause  of  it — at  least  principally — was  the  sight  of  my  neat  book  in  the 
dirty  prompter's  hands,  suffering  with  every  turning  of  the  leaves. 
Received  a  note  for  tickets  from  Mr.  McNamara  and  also  from  Lady 
C.  Whiteford.  Notes  from  James  about  freedom  of  the  City  and  coat- 
of-arms,  and  from  a  young  ass  called  Maxwell,  wishing  to  play  Edgar 
for  my  night.  Read  the  newspapers,  in  which  to  my  disappointment 
there  was  no  notice  of  Hamlet.  Acted  Sardanapalus — during  the  three 
last  acts  very  indifferently — annoyed  very  much  in  the  last  by  the 
vulgar  and  malicious  noises  of  some  fellows  in  the  gallery.  Calcraft 
came  into  my  room,  and  talked  about  the  Woods,  etc.  Miss  Allison 
kept  me  in  the  passage,  playing  with  me.  Miss  Huddart  asked  me  to 
see  her  home,  as  her  servant  had  not  arrived,  but  I  showed  so  much 
reluctance  that  she  relinquished  it.  I  did  not  like  persons  to  see 
me  walking  out  of  the  theatre  with  her  or  any  young  woman  at  that 
late  hour. 

November  15th. — Went  to  rehearsal,  with  which  I  took  pains,  and 
I  find  from  experience  that  care  and  attention  is  all  in  all.  I  cannot 
he  just  to  myself  without.  Sheil  called ;  expressed  himself  greatly 
pleased  with  W^erner  and  recommended  me  to  think  of  Philip  Van 
Artevelde,  promising  that  he  would  think  of  it  for  me.  Quite  tired 
— dozed  on  my  chair  for  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  and  then  looked 
out  my  clothes.  Tried  to  act,  but  could  not  satisfy  myself — all  was 
effort,  which  in  William  Tell  gives  a  vulgar  and  melodramatic  character 
to  the  part,  that  I  dislike  and  feel  ashamed  of.  Also  I  ought  to — 
and  I  do — feel  ashamed  and  deeply  sorry  for  my  morose  and  petulant 
behaviour  to  everybody;  it  is  really  outrageous.  I  must  curb  this 
hateful  and  most  distressing  infirmity  of  temper. 

November  I'Kth. — Dressed  and  went  on  the  stage  prepared  to  act 
my  best,  and  resolute  to  do  so,  but  such  a  Babel  of  a  house  was  scarcely 
ever  heard — from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  King  Lear — and  through 
204 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

the  interlude  of  the  screen  scene  of  School  for  Scandal,  almost  all 
was  dumb  show.  Colonel  D'Aguilar  came  round  in  despair.  I  had 
to  go  on  to  address  them.  I  told  them  I  had  the  greatest  pleasure  in 
playing  before  them  when  they  chose  to  be  an  audience,  and  how  am- 
bitious I  was  to  uphold  myself  in  their  opinion.  It  must  have  been  the 
only  entertainment  of  the  evening.  I  made  gratuities  to  the  servants — 
shook  hands  with  those  actors  I  saw — came  home.  Woulds  called  and 
supped,  and  we  signed  the  agreement  of  partnership.     Quod  felix  sit. 

November  Idth. — Got  on  shore  about  9  o'clock,  took  a  car  up  to 
the  Angel  Inn,  where  I  breakfasted,  and  read  the  newspaper  account 
of  the  discharge  of  the  Ministry.  The  question  that  rises  to  me  on 
this  is  simply — how  long  will  men  permit  such  an  impious  and  inequit- 
able arrangement  as  the  possession  of  power  by  any  one  man,  or  set 
of  men,  without  the  severest  responsibility  ?  ^  Dined  and  went  to  the 
theatre,  to  see  if  there  was  anything  decent  there.  The  play  was 
Brutus  and  a  brute  part  of  him  that  played  it — Tarquinia — all  very 
miserable.  A  Miss  Leclerq,  a  dancer,  and  a  Mr.  Simpson,  in  an  old 
man,  were  the  sole  exceptions  to  the  general  badness  of  the  company. 
Hammond,  who  was  a  good  actor,  has  spoiled  himself  by  managing ; 
let  me  not  forget  that !  ! 

Lincoln,  November  23rd. — At  10  Mr.  Robertson  called,  and  having 
paid  my  bill  and  posted  my  letters,  I  got  a  sight  of  the  gorgeous  front 
of  the  Cathedral,  and  the  Heaven's  Gate,  as  I  passed  down  to  the 
river.  This  canal-like  stream,  the  VVitham,  embanked  on  both  sides, 
offers  no  variety  of  prospect ;  the  cattle  in  the  water,  or  grazing  along 
its  sides,  a  horseman  on  the  bank,  recall  Cuyp  and  Wouverman  to  one's 
recollection,  and  afford  us  a  guess  at  what  Holland  must  be.  We 
walked  six  miles,  sometimes  turning  to  look  upon  the  regally-sited 
Cathedral,  which  alone  is  worth  a  visit  to  this  city — and  constantly 
enjoying  the  freshness  of  the  brisk  cool  air,  the  beauty  of  the  morning, 
and  our  exhilarating  exercise. 

'  William  IV  had  for  some  time  past  been  greatly  dissatisfied  with  the  Whig  Ministr}', 
and,  on  Lord  Althorp  (who  had  succeeded  to  his  father's  earldom)  vacating  the  Leader- 
ship of  the  House  of  Commons,  he  (the  King)  dismissed  the  Ministry  on  the  pretext 
that  there  was  no  one  qualified  to  replace  Althorp.  This  coup-de-main  was  generally 
regarded  as  an  abuse  of  prerogative,  and  naturally  created  bitter  resentment  in  Whig  circles, 
Brougham  signalizing  his  indignation  by  despatching  a  communication  the  same  night  to  the 
Times  (concluding  with  the  words,  "The  Queen  has  done  it  all "),  which  appeared  in  that 
newspaper  on  the  following  morning.  Brougham's  conduct  was  the  more  discreditable  in 
that  Lord  Melbourne  had  imparted  to  him  the  news  under  a  pledge  of  secrecy ;  he  sub- 
sequently aggravated  the  affront  by  sending  the  Great  Seal  back  to  the  King  in  a  bag  instead 
of  retuniing  it  in  person. 

205 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

Bostoriy  November  2Qth. — Read  the  Examinerf  and  felt  my  blood 
boil  at  the  disgusting  conduct  of  the  senseless,  heartless  old  wretch 
whom  we  call  a  King.  "Is  there  no  hidden  thunder  in  the  stones  of 
Heaven,  red  with  uncommon  wrath  to  blast  that  man?  "  How  shock- 
ing that  the  well-being  of  millions  of  reasoning  beings  is  at  the  mercy 
of  him  or  any  man  irresponsible  for  his  conduct  I  ^  Acted  indifferently 
— the  accompaniments  are  so  bad  I  cannot  sustain  the  feeling,  or 
persevere  against  so  much  that  annoys  me. 

November  2'7th. — Arrived  at  Louth,  which  seems  a  miserable  little 
place.  After  dinner  (too  good  a  one !)  lounged  away  some  time  over 
old  magazines — accounts  of  young  Betty's  ^  first  appearance — much 
violent  abuse  of  Napoleon  as  the  "  Corsican  assassin,"  and  of  Josephine 
as  the  most  notorious  strumpet.  Things  have  mended,  judging  both 
from  the  prose  and  poetry,  which  is  horrid  stuff. 

Louth,  November  29th. — Read  an  ode  and  part  of  an  epistle  in 
Horace ;  found  on  examining  the  current  in  which  my  thoughts  set, 
that  management  would  never  answer  for  me ;  I  have  not  that  manage- 
ment of  my  mind  that  would  enable  me  to  dismiss  one  subject,  and 
substitute  another ;  I  should  lose  my  profession  by  it,  and  already  I 
am  alarmed  at  its  effects  in  the  possession  it  takes  of  my  thoughts. 
Walked  with  Mr.  Robertson  to  the  post  office  and  to  the  theatre, 
which  answers  also  the  double  purpose  of  a  Sessions  House;  it  is  not 
the  worst  I  have  seen.  Went  to  the  theatre — dressed  in  the  magis- 
trates' room — "quite  convenient."  When  ready  to  go  on  the  stage, 
Mr.  Robertson  appeared  with  a  face  full  of  dismay ;  he  began  to 
apologize,  and  I  guessed  the  remainder.  "Bad  house?"  "Bad? 
Sir,  there's  no  one!"  "What?  nobody  at  all?"  "Not  a  soul, 
sir — except  the  Warden's  party  in  the  boxes."  "What  the  d — 1! 
not  one  person  in  the  pit  or  gallery?  "  "Oh,  yes,  there  are  one  or 
two."  "Are  there  five?"  "Oh,  yes,  five."  "Then  go  on;  we 
have  no  right  to  give  ourselves  airs,  if  the  people  do  not  choose  to 
come  and  see  us ;  go  on  at  once !  1  "  Mr.  Robertson  was  astonished  at 
what  he  thought  my  philosophy,  being  accustomed,  as  he  said,  to  be 
"  blown  up  "  by  his  Stars,  when  the  houses  were  bad.     I  never  acted 

^  This  fierce  outburst  was  prompted  by  the  King's  dismissal  of  the  Melbourne  Ministry, 
which  Macready  had  denounced  in  terms  almost  as  scathing.  William  IV  had  certainly 
stretched  his  powers,  but  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  Whig  Government  had  outlived 
its  usefulness,  while  the  antics  of  Brougham,  personal  and  political,  were  daily  discrediting 
both  the  Crown  and  the  nation.  The  King  was  wrong  in  principle,  but  there  was  much 
to  extenuate  his  action. 

^  The  Infant  Roscius,  with  whom  Macready  had  i)erfomied  in  former  years. 

2o6 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Virginius  better  in  all  my  life — good  taste  and  earnestness.  Smyth, 
who  was  contemporary  with  me  at  Rugby  and  has  a  living  in  this 
neighbourhood,  came  in  and  sat  with  me,  and  saw  the  play,  with 
which  he  was  greatly  pleased. 

November  20th. — Read  the  newspaper,  in  which  my  abhorrence  of 
that  wretch  Cobbett  ^  and  his  beastly  faction  was  kindled  anew.  Note 
came  from  Mrs.  Robertson,  inviting  me  to  tea,  which  I  accepted. 
Went  there,  and  was  much  amused  by  Mr.  W.  Robertson's  account 
of  the  extremities  of  ludicrous  distress — though  sometimes  it  was  no 
laughing  matter — to  which  he  was  reduced  in  his  vagabondizing  tours 
in  Scotland  and  Cumberland. 

December  1st. — Walked  out  with  Mr.  Robertson ;  posted  my 
letters,  and  then  walked  two  miles  on  the  Horncastle  road.  He  related 
to  me  two  anecdotes  of  Kean,  to  which  he  was  witness :  once  of  his 
having,  on  coming  off  the  stage  in  Othello,  thrashed  a  man  of  the 
name  of  Williams,  whom  I  remember  well,  for  distressing  him  by 
being  imperfect  in  lago !  and  another — a  pure  specimen  of  his  char- 
latanry. A  vagabond  who  lived  upon  petitioning  companies  and  drank 
their  charity,  applied  for  the  third  or  fourth  time  while  Kean  was 
with  Mr.  Robertson.  Mr.  Robertson  represented  to  Mr.  Kean  that  he 
was  a  worthless  drunken  man,  and  lived  upon  this  practice.  Mr. 
K (there  were  several  present)  said  :  "  You  dined  very  well  yester- 
day, sir,  and  you  will  have  a  good  dinner  to-day ;  why  should  you  wish 
to  prevent  this  poor  man  from  doing  the  same?  "  And  this  Kean  left 
his  wife  without  one  shilling  for  herself  and  son ;  the  woman  that  lived 
with  him  having  taken  the  comparatively  small  residue  left  of  his 
disgusting  and  reckless  dissoluteness !  I  Enjoyed  my  walk  very  much ; 
wrote  directions  for  my  luggage.  Dozed  from  fatigue  after  dinner ; 
wrote  a  letter  to  Kenneth,  made  my  toilet,  and  went  to  theatre.  Felt 
that  the  house  was  not  very  good ;  but  determined  to  make  a  study 
of  the  night,  which  I  did,  and  certainly  acted  great  part  of  Hamlet 
in  a  very  true  and  impressive  manner.  I  hit  upon  the  exact  feeling 
in  the  passage  which  I  have  often  thought  on  :  *'  He  was  a  man,"  etc. ; 
my  intercourse  with  Horatio,  Rosencrantz,  Guildenstens,  etc.,  was 
earnest  and  real — ad  homines.  Indeed,  it  was  a  good  performance. 
Smyth  came  into  my  room  after  the  play,  and  talked  of  my  speaking 

^  William  Cobbett  (1762- 1 835) ;  the  famous  Radical  journalist,  whose  political  views 
were  calculated  to  enlist  Macreatly's  sympathy  rather  than  his  "  abhorrence,"  for  both  were 
good  haters  of  peers  temporal  and  spiritual,  besides  entertaining  scant  respect  for  the 
Crown. 

207 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

the  closet  scene  at  Rugby.  He  also  told  me  of  endeavouring  to  com- 
mit a  poacher.  He  is  a  clergyman !  Thought  and  calculated  for 
Bath.     Read  in  Racine's  Esther. 

Sheffieldf  December  10th. — Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  acted 
William  Tell  only  tolerably ;  was  a  good  deal  distressed  by  the  actors, 
imperfect  and  inattentive,  and  once  or  twice  rather  angry  \^ith  them, 
but  very  kind  to  the  poor  little  child  who  acted  with  me,  though 
several  times  disconcerted  by  her,  but  this  is  from  having  children  of 
my  own,  the  dear  ones.  My  dresser  is  a  Benedictine  monk  on  leave 
from  the  convent  in  Ireland  on  account  of  derangement ;  his  trade  is 
a  tailor. 

December  11th. — Went  to  theatre,  where  I  acted  very  ill,  but 
should  not  have  been  so  bad  but  for  the  shamefully  neglectful  and 
imperfect  state  of  the  play.  Idenstein,  Josephine  and  Guba  were  all 
more  or  less  imperfect ;  Ulric  did  not  know  two  consecutive  lines  of 
the  three  last  acts.  I  sat  down  at  last  attempting  nothing.  I  never 
was  so  completely  terrass^  in  my  life.  But  I  was  rude  and  uncivil  to 
no  one. 

Nottingham^  December  IMh. — Went  to  theatre,  and  found  a  horrid 
fellow  in  the  part  of  Gesler,  whom  I  had  met  at  Richmond — it  was 
enough !  Rehearsed,  dressed  and  acted  William  Tell  to  a  very  good 
house  in  a  creditable  manner;  but  was  very  cross  with  the  little  dull 
boy  whom  they  had  placed  in  Albert,  and  fined  myself  half-a-crown, 
which  I  paid  him  for  my  ill-behaviour. 

Brighton,  December  IHth. — Read  the  newspapers.  Sir  R.  Peel's 
address  to  his  Tamworth  constituents — and  Sir  J.  Graham's  to  his.  Little 
opinion  have  I  of  the  honesty  of  either,  but  the  first  I  think  a  cold,  heart- 
less man.^  Went  to  the  theatre,  where  in  the  play  of  Sardanapalus  not 
one  person  was  perfect,  and  whenever  I  attempted  effect  I  was  foiled ; 
still,  I  did  not  play  well,  and  want  study.  Heard  the  news  of  Mr.  J. 
Webster  taking  fright  at  Ulric,  and  in  consequence  the  play  of  Werner 
cannot  be  done  to-morrow — pleasant  I  Was  told  of  Polhill  having 
retired  from  Drury  Lane  on  paying  £2000 — this,  I  suppose,  is  not  the 
exact  truth — or  all  of  it,  but  there  is  some  truth  in  it.  He  takes 
with  him  the  execration  and  contempt  of  every  real  actor. 

December  19th. — Ellen  called ;  she  told  me  of  John  Bull  having 
said  that  "  I  had  been  playing  in  a  conventicle  at  Louth."  I  was  not 
at  all  angry — how  mad  it  would  once  have  made  me ! 

Elstree,  December  ^6th. — Dearest  Christina's  birthday. 

^  Macready,  like  many  others,  changed  his  opinion  of  Peel  in  later  years. 
208 


1834]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

December  S,8t1i. — Mr.  Lovell  ^  arrived  before  I  had  finished  my 
toilet ;  after  detaining  him  some  time  I  went  down  and  found  him  in 
the  study.  I  explained  to  him  the  necessity  under  which  I  lay  of 
inviting  him  so  abruptly,  and  hurried  forward  breakfast,  that  I  might 
complete  my  critical  task  before  Forster's  arrival.  When  we  had 
breakfasted  we  adjourned  to  the  drawing-room,  and  I  went  scene  by 
scene  through  his  play,  suggesting  remedies  to  what  seemed  faults  to 
me  and  giving  him  my  candid  opinion  on  the  merits  of  his  play.  He 
received  it  with  earnest  expressions  of  gratitude  and  confidence,  and 
assented  to  every  proposal  of  correction.  On  coming  downstairs,  and 
after  introducing  him  to  Dr.  Lardner,  with  whom  it  appeared  he  had 
previously  been  slightly  acquainted,  Forster  arrived ;  and  while  the 
morning  was  whiled  away  in  conversation  by  them,  I  cut  the  leaves 
and  arranged  the  pages  of  the  three-act  arrangement  of  King  Henry  V, 
A  letter  from  Mr.  Lovell,  accepting  my  invitation,  had  arrived  in  the 
course  of  the  morning.  Went  to  afternoon  church,  accompanied  by 
Mr.  Lovell,  where  I  read  two  chapters  of  Greek  Testament,  and  was 
struck  by  the  Samaritans  appropriating  the  well  to  Jacob — the  wells 
in  Arabia  and  Syria  being  believed  to  have  been  the  work  of  the 
Patriarchs — see  Dyer.  Returning  I  read  the  Examiner,  and  after- 
wards gave  myself  to  ray  domestic  duties  of  preparing  for  and  enter- 
taining my  guests,  with  whom  I  passed  a  very  pleasant  afternoon. 
Mr.  Lovell  I  was  disappointed  in — I  had  expected  a  very  modest,  very 
intelligent,  very  gentlemanly  man ;  I  did  not  think  him  on  general 
matters  a  very  modest  man,  and  only  of  an  average  character  as  to 
intelligence  and  address.  Read  prayers  to  the  family  in  the  study — 
thanking  God  Almighty  for  the  blessings  of  the  expiring  year,  and  pray- 
ing for  a  continuance  of  them  to  me  and  mine  for  those  to  come.    Amen  ! 

To  Bristol,  December  31st. — Sent  a  note  to  Miss  E.  Tree,  question- 
ing her  upon  an  engagement  at  Bath.  Left  Catherine  to  go  out  and 
buy  her  presents  for  herself  and  sisters  whilst  I  sought  and  found 
Mr.  Bunn.  He  was  extremely  civil  about  the  Overtures,  for  which  I 
asked  him,  and  professed  himself  anxious  to  give  me  every  accommoda- 
tion. Sent  for  the  musical  copyist,  and  settled  the  mode  of  sending 
the  Overtures  to  Bath.  About  Farren  and  Miss  E.  Tree  he  was  to 
give  me  an  answer  in  a  fortnight.  Miss  E.  Romer  was  out  of  the 
question."    Wrote  to  Wallace  requesting  him  to  contradict  the  Morning 

^  Author  of  the  Provost  of  Bruges,  performed  in  the  following  year. 

*  Emma  Romer  (1814-1868),  afterwards  Mrs.  Almond,  a  singer  of  considerable  reputa- 
tion ;  made  her  chief  success  at  Covent  Garden  ;  manageress  of  Surrey  Theatre  in  1852. 
VOL.  I.  P  209 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1834 

Chroniclers  assertion  that  I  was  the  Bath  manager.  Paid  Healey  and 
went  to  Gloster  Coffee  House,  where  I  took  tea,  and  got  into  the 
Bristol  mail,  after  waiting  some  time  to  see  my  luggage  put  into  the 
coach.  My  companions  were  very  great  asses,  talking  much  nonsense 
about  politics,  and  vehement  Tories.  I  said  my  prayers  and  endeavoured 
to  compose  myself  to  sleep.  In  closing  this  year,  which  has  been  a 
prosperous  and  a  happy  one,  I  turn  to  the  Cause  of  my  felicity  and 
success,  and  humbly  and  devoutly  bless  the  name  of  Almighty  God, 
and  offer  up  to  Him  my  earnest  thanks  for  all  the  good  bestowed  on 
me  and  mine ;  grateful  for  what  is  given,  and  humbly  imploring  a 
continuance  of  His  mercies.     Amen  !     Amen  !     Amen  ! 


2IO 


1835 

Bath,  January  2nd. — Sat  down  to  read  with  deliberate  care  the 
piece  of  Beau  Nash;  I  read  and  reconsidered  it.  With  one  or  two 
smart  sayings  there  is  nothing  to  do  in  it ;  it  leads  to  nothing.  The 
''tendency  "  of  which  the  author  speaks  I  looked  in  vain  for — except 
it  be  to  puzzle  his  readers.  Tried  to  find  some  means  of  making  it 
convertible,  but  relinquished  it  as  hopeless. 

January  3rd. — Went  to  the  theatre,  and  was  satisfied  with  the 
performance  of  the  Rivals,  but  distressed  by  the  very  discreditable 
manner  in  which  Lodoiska  was  played,  and  got  up.  I  feel  at  this 
early  stage  that  I  am  not  fit  for  a  managerial  speculation.  No  more 
spectacles ! 

January  4>th. — Thought  over  the  third  act  of  Othello,  which  ought 
to  be  one  of  my  best  characters  if  I  could  realize  my  own  conceptions. 
Read  over  Macbeth.  In  bed  read  an  essay  in  Locke  on  despondency 
which  did  me  good. 

January  5th. — Went  to  theatre  and  fell  into  ill-humour  with  the 
old  and  incapable  hairdresser ;  dismissed  him,  but  sent  for  him  again, 
not  wishing  to  distress  or  offend  him.  He  made  a  figure  of  me!  I 
acted,  as  I  thought,  the  first  scene  of  Macbeth  well,  but  the  audience 
were  perfectly  apathetic,  and  in  the  second  became  vulgarly  unquiet. 
This  unhinged  me,  and  I  did  not  recover  myself  the  whole  night.  I 
am  ready  to  ascribe  the  greater  share  of  blame  to  myself,  but  the 
audience  were  like  no  other  I  ever  saw ;  they  did  not  notice  me  on 
my  first  entrance — on  the  bridge — and  very  indifferently  afterwards. 
I  acted  very  ill,  but  better  than  such  an  audience  deserved,  which  is 
not  saying  much.     The  play  was  excellently  done. 

January  1th. — Wrote  to  Catherine,  whose  presence,  and  my 
children's,  I  feel  necessary  to  me  now,  for  I  become  irritated  at  the 
mistake — blunder — folly  I  have  committed  in  coming  here.  Went  to 
the  theatre  and  acted  Werner  as  well  as  the  imperfectness  of  Mr. 
Thompson  and  the  vulgar  rant  of  Mr.  Saville,  which  often  interfered 
with  me,  would  let  me.     But  this — with  the  face-making  mysteries  of 

P  2  211 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

Mr.  Stuart — the  enlightened  audience  applauded  as  much  as  myself, 
who  was  using  the  utmost  care  to  act  in  the  best  taste.  I  feel  as  if 
I  could  willingly  give  £300  to  be  released  from  this  unfortunate  engage- 
ment. I  scarcely  know  what  I  should  do — I  cannot  attend  to  my 
profession  if  this  continues,  and  I  see  no  prospect  of  change.  It  is  a 
bitter  passion  when  we  are  angry  with  ourselves !  Oh,  God,  assist 
me  !     I  dread  to  look  forward. 

January  8th, — Acted  Othello  with  a  feeling  of  having  no  sympathy 
from  my  audience ;  thought  myself  deficient  in  earnestness  and  spirit, 
but  do  not  regret  having  done  it,  as  it  was  a  useful  rehearsal  to  me. 
I  never  saw  the  Senate  put  so  well  upon  the  stage.  I  think  I  may 
play  Othello  well,  but  the  prescriptive  criticism  of  this  country,  in 
looking  for  particular  points  instead  of  contemplating  one  entire 
character,  abates  my  confidence  in  myself.  Mr.  Woulds  told  me  that 
he  had  heard  from  Mr.  Field  of  general  discontent  at  the  prices  being 
restored.  The  house  to-night  was  wretched,  but  what  could  be 
expected  at  such  a  time? 

January  9th. — My  landlady  brought  me  up  her  bill,  and  began 
some  inquiries  about  my  stay — the  number  of  my  family  and  some 
etcs.,  which  showed  a  disposition  to  impose;  she  added  that  Mrs. 
Woulds  had  not  mentioned  my  profession.  My  blood  rose  at  this 
impertinence,  and  I  was  foolish  enough  to  be  so  angry  as  to  observe 
that  there  was  no  person  in  Bath,  whether  titled  or  not,  that  could 
claim  a  higher  character  and  that  I  would  relieve  her  of  the  incon- 
venience of  such  an  inmate.  She  attempted  to  excuse  herself,  but  I 
cut  the  matter  short.  Heard  from  Mr.  Woulds  the  account  of  the 
first  week's  balance,  which  was  very  satisfactory.  Read  the  newspaper, 
and  to  my  astonishment  and  satisfaction  saw  Talfourd  member  for 
Reading  I 

January  10th. — Expedited  the  rehearsal  as  much  as  possible,  but  it 
proceeded  slowly  owing  to  the  inattention  of  the  actors.  What  a 
calling  this  is  I  How  deeply  I  feel  the  degradation  of  belonging  to  it, 
which  yet  for  my  dear  children's  sake  I  will  endeavour  cheerfully  to 
pursue.  One  of  the  actors  (whom  Mr.  Woulds  boasted  he  could  do 
anything  with)  refused  to  act  a  part  he  had  agreed  to  play ;  he  is  a 
fool,  and  nearly  crazy.  Laid  out  ray  clothes ;  saw  old  Mr.  Taylor, 
who  talked  about  "  next  season  "  recovering  this.  If  they  catch  me 
in  this  hateful  occupation  again  may  all  its  worst  consequences  fall  on 
me  I  Acted  William  Tell  to  an  improved  house  very  fairly — parts  of  it 
very  well,  and  should  have  done  so  throughout,  had  the  actors  been 
212 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

perfect  with  me.  I  was  very  angry,  and  wish  I  could  avoid  showing 
temper  as  I  do,  but  I  fear  this  is  a  vice  which  will  accompany  me  to 
my  grave. 

January  ISth. — Went  to  the  rehearsal  of  King  Henry  V.  Mr. 
Thompson  proposed  to  me  a  play  by  Lord  Byron's  natural  daughter  ^ 
— he  supposes  me  very  simple.  Read  the  newspaper  in  which  I  see 
Captain  Polhill  is  made  a  legislator.     Shame ! 

January  14t/i. — Rehearsed  King  Lear — not  well,  for  I  do  not  feel 
quite  prepared  for  the  character — and  settled  the  outline  of  the  busi- 
ness of  King  Henry  IV.  Found  a  letter  from  Mr.  Wood  written  in 
rather  an  impertinent  strain ;  these  are  the  fellows  that  make  up  the 
profession  of  a  player  I  I  answered  it  in  a  mild  and  gentlemanly  tone. 
My  dear  Catherine  and  my  babes  arrived — God  bless  them ! 

January  11th. — In  going  through  the  box-office  heard  a  woman 
inquiring  for  something  entertaining  for  children.  Brownell  mentioned 
that  Mr.  Macready  and  Dowton  would  play  on  Monday.  "Oh  no," 
she  replied,  "  they  are  very  good  actors,  but  I  want  something  enter- 
taining for  children ;  when  will  Aladdin  be  done?  "  So  much  for  Bath 
taste !  Acted  King  Lear  unequally — wanted  the  sustaining  stimulant 
of  an  enthusiastic  audience — wanted  in  them  the  sensibility  to  feel 
quickly  what  I  did,  and  the  ready  manifestation  of  their  sympathy ; 
some  parts  I  did  tolerably  well ;  acted  with  some  degree  of  vivacity 
and  nature  in  Puff. 

To  Brbtol,  January  26th. — Went  to  the  theatre,  and  acted  Macbeth 
extremely  well,  with  earnestness,  care  and  feeling  :  never  before  spoke 
the  "  To-morrow  and  to-morrow  "  with  such  truth.  Dowton  ( ! )  made 
a  complaint  that  his  name  was  in  smaller  letters  than  mine,  and  wrote 
the  same  to  the  prompter. 

January  30f/i. — Going  out  of  the  theatre  Mr.  Mude  addressed  me, 
having  heard  that  I  had  said  "It  was  very  beastly  in  him  as  acting 
manager  not  to  be  at  rehearsal  in  time."  I  distinctly  told  him  that 
"  it  was  wholly  untrue,  that  I  had  been  very  angry  at  the  person  who 
had  to  begin  the  play  not  being  there  and  had  given  his  words  to 
another ;  the  expression  I  used  was  in  reference  to  the  general  mode 
of  doing  the  business — that  I  knew  he  was  not  the  manager."  Acted 
Lord  Townley  effectively,  but  not  with  the  ease  to  please  myself. 

^  In  all  probability  an  apocryphal  author.  Byron  was  still  a  name  to  conjure  with  ; 
accordingly,  liaisons  and  illegitimate  offspring  were  fastened  on  him  as  occasion  required. 
The  only  natural  daughter  with  whom  he  was  and  is  publicly  identified  was  Allegra,  who 
died  when  little  more  than  an  infant. 

213 


THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

February  6th. — Mr.  Moutrie,  our  landlord,  knocked,  and  entering 
told  me  a  lady  like  a  dissenter  wished  to  see  me — that  she  had  a 
message  to  deliver  to  me  in  person.  I  begged  him  to  excuse  me  to 
her,  being  too  harassed  to  see  any  one — that  she  could  write,  or  see 
me  a  fortnight  hence  in  Bath.  She  went  away,  saying  she  would 
write,  for  that  it  would  not  suit  to  see  me  in  Bath.  In  less  than  a 
minute  she  returned  with  a  letter  which  he  brought  up ;  to  my  great 
surprise  it  was  anonymous  and  contained  a  £5  note.  How  very  strange  I 
how  very  kindly  intended  ! 

To  London,  February  1th. — Travelled  through  the  night  from 
Bristol — not  so  rapidly  as  I  expected,  but  very  comfortably,  thanks  to 
dear  Catherine  for  suggesting  the  carriage!  Breakfasted,  etc.,  at  Salt 
Hill,  saw  the  Times,  that  disgustingly  profligate  newspaper.  Was 
extremely  disgusted  with  the  pert,  flippant  and  vulgar  tone  of  some 
extracts  from  Miss  Kemble's  Journal.  I  had  given  her  credit  for 
rather  a  superior  understanding ;  I  think  her  a  shallow  instead  of  a 
clever  impostor.^ 

To  Manchester,  February  Sth. — Rose  at  half-past  four  for  my  day's 
journey  to  Manchester,  which,  though  the  manner  in  which  it  is  per- 
formed calls  forth  my  admiration,  is  very  fatiguing.  The  coach  was 
full,  outside  and  in,  of  very  uninteresting  people.  Read  the  newspapers 
I  borrowed  from  my  fellow  travellers.  BelVs  Weekly  Messenger,  and 
that  most  disgusting  of  the  base  and  rascally  tribe  the  Satirist,  in 
which  scandal  and  obscenity  were  the  only  remarkably  prominent 
qualities. 

February  10th. — At  the  theatre  received  letter  from  Mr.  Gould, 
wishing,  I  suppose,  to  exculpate  himself,  but  I  do  not  clearly  see  the 
drift  of  his  vulgar  letter.  When  a  person  alters  his  superscription 
from  "  Esqre."  to  "  Mr."  he  only  makes  one  laugh  at  the  impotence  of 
his  spleen. 

February  11th. — Sent  a  note  to  Clarke  for  a  newspaper :  he  sent 
me  three  Heralds,  and  I  was  disgusted  beyond  patience ;  one  piece 

of  intelligence  was  satisfactory,  viz.  that  that  odious  pauper,  , 

is  not  likely  to  transmit  her  principles  in  her  race  to  curse  this 
country.  What  rank  villains  politicians  are !  What  signifies  the 
name? 

February  15th. — Rose  late,  and  spent  much  time  in  my  bedroom 
before   I   came   down.     Applied  myself  to   my  accounts,  and   to   the 

^  Fanny  Kemble's  Journal  is  occasionally  affected,  but  Macready's  epithets  are  as  usual 
exaggerated.     Whatever  her  shortcomings,  she  was  undoubtedly  remarkably  clever,  and  in 
no  sense  an  impostor. 
214 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

consideration  of  the  best  mode  to  improve  their  condition ;  am  per- 
haps too  impatient  to  increase  my  store ;  I  think  it  is  as  much  for  my 
dear  children's  sake  as  my  own ;  I  hope  more.  Mr.  Clarke  called,  and 
made  a  very  long  visit.  I  made  up  the  cast  of  next  week's  business  at 
Bath,  settled  all  and  wrote  the  heading  of  the  bill,  which  I  inclosed 
to  Mr.  Woulds.  Received  letters  with  receipts  and  balance  up  to 
Friday  at  Bath ;  from  Mr.  Fox,  respecting  the  MS.  play  sent  to  me, 
in  whose  letter  Catherine  wrote  a  hasty  greeting. 

February  16th. — Began  to  read  the  MS.  tragedy  of  Cosmo,  and 
after  an  interruption  of  a  long  visit  by  Clarke,  finished  it.  It  is  a 
bold,  irregular  attempt  to  give  the  workings  of  various  minds,  and 
display  their  efEects  upon  the  outward  forms  of  men.  I  cannot  say 
it  will  be  successful,  but  there  is  more  than  sufficient  talent  in  it  to 
deserve  and  make  me  anxious  for  its  success.  Went  to  theatre,  acted 
Werner  very  well  to  a  good  house ;  but  was  very  cross  with  one  of  the 
actors — which  was  very  reprehensible  in  me. 

February  llth. — Wrote  to  Jeston  about  the  money  paid  by  mis- 
take into  Drummond's  bank  for  me.  Am  forced  into  reflection  upon 
the  system  of  delusion  which  the  world  subscribes  to,  when  I  address 
this  good-natured,  thick-headed  old  fellow.  This  man,  according 
to  churchmen,  is  gifted  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  qualified  to  take 
care  of  the  souls  of  men !  Mighty  God !  when  will  this  blasphemous 
abuse  of  Thy  Holy  name,  this  infamous  trafiic  in  the  beautiful 
religion  of  Christ  become  a  crime  before  men,  as  it  must  be  before 
Thee? 

February  18th. — Arrived  at  Halifax.  Went  to  rehearsal ;  poor 
Guildenstern  had  only  one  eye.  From  rehearsal  one  of  the  actors, 
Mr.  Nantz,  went  with  me  to  show  me  the  Gibbet  Hill,  where  the  stone 
on  which  the  criminals  laid  their  heads  is  still  visible,  though  deeply 
embedded  in  earth ;  from  thence  he  accompanied  me  to  a  public-house, 
formerly  the  gaol,  and  now  called  the  Jail  Inn,  where  the  blade  of 
the  axe,  called  the  Maiden,  was  shown  to  me ;  it  is  very  like  the 
blade  of  a  spade  with  two  holes  in  it.  Not  so  weighty  as  I  should 
suppose  its  office  would  require.  Some  of  the  actors,  the  principal 
with  his  family,  lived  in  the  public-house,  seemingly  domesticated, 
and  mixing  in  all  the  business  of  the  place !  Such  a  residence  would 
have  suited  in  every  way  Mr.  Kean,  and  no  doubt  he  often  took  up  his 
abode  contentedly  in  worse — and  I  am  abused,  libelled  and  an  object  of 
persecution  because  I  do  not  make  companions  of  actors !  Oh,  world, 
what  a  scene  of  quackery  thou  art ! 

February  90th. — Heard  the  cheering  news  of  Sir  R.  Peers  defeat 

215 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

in  Abercromby's  election  (as  Speaker).*  Went  to  the  theatre,  where 
I  found  letters  from  Letty  in  a  frank  from  Forster  inclosing  a  request 

from    Mr.    W ,    formerly   30th    Foot,   to   procure   him    any,    the 

humblest  situation  in  some  theatre,  so  dreadfully  was  he  reduced  by 
his  extravagance  and  thoughtlessness. 

February  917th. — Again  greeted  by  a  letter  of  ill  news.  Our  house 
at  Elstree  has,  it  seems  from  dear  Letitia's  letter,  been  entered  by 
robbers,  whom  an  early  alarm  obliged  to  escape  before  further  mis- 
chief was  done  than  the  breaking  our  windows.  A  letter  also  from 
Mr.  Fox,  franked  by  Roebuck.^  Received  a  iiery  vulgar  note  from 
that  very  vulgar,  vain  and  foolish  old  man  Mr.  Dowton,'  which  I 
answered  very  mildly.  Oh,  what  a  curse  it  is  to  connect  oneself  with 
ignorant,  conceited  and  obstinate  people — these  fools ! 

February  9Sth. — Went  to  the  theatre,  and  acted  Rob  Roy  languidly. 
Felt  provoked  to  think  that  I  was  paying  everybody  concerned,  even  to 
that  sot,  Mr.  Woulds,  by  my  own  unrequited  labour.  Saw  Mr.  Perkins, 
who  told  me  that  the  business  at  Edinburgh  was  great — his  second 
night  .£187.  Nothing  under  £80  or  £90.  I  felt  envious  and  angry 
— to  my  shame  I  note  it.  Oh  God,  exalt  me  above  this  demoralizing 
atmosphere ! 

Bristol,  March  2nd. — My  mind  is  still  returning  to  the  subject  of 
reduced  expenditure,  but  often  interrupted  by  the  savage  wishes  of 
revenge  and  passionate  desires  that  agitate,  disturb  and  distress  me ;  I 
feel  ashamed  of  them  and  grieved  at  them.  I  school  them  down,  but 
they  return  in  a  variety  of  forms.  The  connection  with  this  theatre 
at  Bath  seems  to  have  brought  back  my  mind  to  its  former  littleness ; 
I  feel  disgusted  with  the  beings  in  connection  with  me  and  ashamed 
of  myself.  Acted  Hamlet  in  my  very  best  manner  to  a  very  good 
house,  and  in  my  own  voice.    Saw  Mr.  Lovell ;  talked  with  him  about  his 

^  This  was  the  first  of  several  defeats  sustained  by  Sir  Roliert  Peel  during  his  short-lived 
Administration,  1834-1835.  Manners-Sutton,  who  had  been  Speaker  for  nearly  twenty  years 
and  had  remained  at  his  post  at  the  urgent  request  of  the  Whig  Government,  was  now  opposed 
by  Abercromby,  a  Whig  nominee,  who  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  ten.  He  proved  an 
indifferent  Speaker  and  resigned  four  years  later. 

*  John  Arthur  Roebuck  (1801-1879)  the  well-known  politician,  then  Radical  M.P.  for 
Bath.  Promoted  the  inquiry  into  conduct  of  the  Crimean  War  which  resulted  in  the  over- 
throw of  Lord  Aberdeen's  Ministry.  In  his  later  years  he  relinquished  his  extreme  views  and 
became  a  supporter  of  Lord  Beaconsfield's  policy,  receiving  in  recognition  a  Privy  Coun- 
cillorship.  In  1835  he  attained  prominence  by  representing  in  England  the  Lower  Canada 
House  of  Assembly. 

'  Mr.  Dowton  must  have  sadly  deteriorated  since  the  preceding  year  when,  it  will  be 
remembered,  Macready  considered  him  worthy  of  a  complimentary  dinner. 
216 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

play.     Received  my  coats  of  arms  from  Mrs.   McC ,  enormously 

dear !     May  they  be  useful  to  my  boy  when  my  name  is  past  away ! 

March  3rd. — My  birthday !  Awoke  unrefreshed  from  a  night  made 
restless  by  the  storm  to  a  sense  of  great  unhappiness ;  said  my  prayers, 
imploring  Almighty  God  (as  I  fervently  do)  to  enable  me  to  bring 
up  my  children  in  a  course  of  virtue  and  in  the  paths  of  peace.  The 
summer  of  my  life  is  gone,  and  what  has  it  left  me?  My  domestic 
blessings,  which  indeed  are  great,  are  all ;  and  these  from  their  very 
dearness  are  made  aggravations  of  every  disappointment  I  encounter 
in  my  endeavour  to  raise  them  above  the  world's  pity  or  scorn.  The 
embarrassment  of  my  little  property  through  by  own  imprudence  and 
my  lawyer's  incorrectness  make' this  day,  which  ought  to  be  cheerful, 
a  very  wretched  one.  I  do  not  recollect  a  more  unhappy  anniversary 
of  my  birth  than  this — my  forty-second.  Went  to  rehearsal — or  rather 
to  my  morning's  annoyance — striving  and  wishing  to  master  my  fretful, 
impatient  temper,  but  in  vain.  Letter  from  dear  Catherine,  giving 
the  news  of  the  house,  and  acquainting  me  with  my  being  blackballed 
at  the  Athenaeum.  I  do  not  wish  to  disguise  truth ;  it  was  a  bitter 
annoyance  to  me.  I  had  objected  to  undergoing  the  trial  of  the 
ballot,  knowing  the  dirty  tricks  practised  at  this  and  other  clubs,  and 
only  consented  to  the  insertion  of  my  name  upon  the  assurance  that  it 
was  decided  on  I  should  be  admitted  this  year.^  The  advantages  of  the 
club  are  not  equivalent  to  the  subjection  to  any  blackguard's  caprice. 
I  use  a  strong  term,  but  Mr.  Croker,^  having  been  my  excluder,  justifies 
it.  It  shall  not  occur  again.  My  pride  has  been  destined  to  a  series 
of  mortifications  this  day ;  perhaps  it  is  wholesome  that  it  should  be, 
for  I  discover  by  what  I  suffer  that  I  have  "  much  too  much."  I  hope 
and  trust  I  may  be  able  so  to  educate  my  darling  children  as  to  save 
them  much  of  the  smart  that  I  have  borne — I  will  not  say  undeservedly. 
I  feel  the  present  rebuke  is  an  insult ;  I  cannot  qualify  it  to  myself ; 
holding  the  rank  I  do  in  my  art  and  with  no  aspersion  on  my  good 
name,  it  is  nothing  less.     The  conviction  of  my  own  sensitiveness  to 

^  Macready  had  evidently  hoped  to  be  elected  under  the  special  rule,  but  he  was, 
apparently,  "put  up"  in  the  ordinary  way.  Thackeray  experienced  a  similar  repulse,  but 
both  were  elected,  under  the  special  rule,  on  a  second  attempt. 

^  Croker  (the  Wenham  of  Vanity  Fair  and  the  Rigby  of  Coningshy),  though  an 
"excluder"  at  the  Athenaeum  had  himself  been  "excluded"  at  White's.  The  Candidates' 
Books  at  Clubs  supply  curious  reading,  men  of  the  highest  rank  and  distinction  figuring 
among  the  rejected  while  the  "colourless  obscure  "  have  often  secured  unanimous  acceptance. 
In  fact,  at  certain  clubs  "nobody"  has  a  far  better  chance  of  election  than  "somebody," 
even  Earldoms  and  Garters  proving  powerless,  at  times,  to  avert  disaster. 

217 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

such  an  affront  prevented  me  from  having  my  name  inserted,  nor  would 
I  ever  have  consented  to  it,  but  under  the  assurances  of  the  secretary- 
through  Mr.  Kenney.^  It  teaches,  as  all  things  do,  its  own  lesson. 
A  principle  once  established  by  reason  in  the  mind  should  be  held 
with  the  same  temerity  as  virtue.  I  have  suffered  keenly — for  to  hide 
is  not  to  diminish  pain ;  how  forcibly  has  Peel's  quotation  from  Dryden 
been  brought  to  my  mind — 

'Tis  easy  said  : — but  oh  !  how  hardly  tried 

By  human  hearts  to  human  honor  tied  ! 

Oh,  sharp  conclusive  pangs  of  agonizing  pride! 

March  5th. — Low-spirited  from  the  ascendency  my  temper  gains 
over  me ;  and  not  much  cheered  by  the  universal  dirt  of  my  lodgings. 
Played  much  of  Rob  Roy  very  well,  and  should  have  been  uniformly 
good  if  the  very  bad  company  would  have  permitted  it.  Oh, 
ray  temper !  my  temper !  how  truly  unhappy — even  to  sometimes 
growing  indifferent  about  existence — does  this  morose  and  impatient 
temper  make  me !  These  theatres  have  brought  it  on  in  its  early 
offensiveness. 

March  6th. — Received  a  very  sensible  and  affectionate  letter  from 
dear  Catherine.  Reasoning  has  power  over  grief,  but  pride  is  a  fool 
that  stops  its  ears.  I  can  put  aside  the  thought  of  the  insult  offered 
me  at  the  Athenaeum,  but  have  not  that  enviable  self-command  to 
reflect  on  it  and  the  names  connected  with  it  indifferently ;  it  chiefly 
annoys  me  because  it  was  in  the  bargain  of  my  consent  that  I  was 
secure  of  admission.  When  men  like  Messrs.  Mathews,  C.  Kemble, 
Young, ^  Hook,  Croker,  etc.,  are  eligible  it  is  difficult  to  flatter  oneself 
into  the  belief  that  there  is  no  indignity  in  being  rejected.  To  forget 
it  is  my  wish,  for  the  recollection  is  not  pleasing  to  me.  Went  to 
theatre,  and  should  have  acted  Oakley  well,  but  that  in  the  only  scene 
in  which  the  performers  were  not  very  imperfect  with  me,  the  prompter 
in  every  pause  I  made  in  a  scene  where  the  pauses  are  effects  kept  shout- 
ing "the  word  "  to  me  till  I  was  ready  to  go  and  knock  him  down. 
I  was  cut  up,  right  and  left,  root  and  branch  and — as  usual — I  grieve 
and  shame  to  say  it — was  very  angry. 

Bathf  March  Ith. — Spoke   to   Mr.   Thompson,   assuming   all   the 

'  See  entries  under  February  24  and  26,  1834. 

2  If  Macready  considered  Young  ill-qualified  for  the  Athenjeum  it  is  strange  that  he 
should  have  chosen  him  as  his  seconder.  Hook,  with  all  his  brilliant  gifts,  was  certainly  a 
questionable  acquisition,  but  the  other  names  cited  were  at  least  without  reproach,  though 
possibly  Mathews  found  admission  easier  than  he  would  have  done  now-a-days,  when 
comedians,  however  eminent,  would  hardly  be  regarded  as  eligible. 
218 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

load  of  accusation  made  upon  his  being  cast  for  the  actor  in  Hamlet. 
Mr.  Woulds  had  told  me  of  letters  having  been  sent  to  the  news- 
papers abusing  me,  stating  that  I  was  only  here  because  I  could  not 
get  engaged  in  London ! — that  I  sent  puffs  of  myself  to  the  papers, 
etc. — this  he  more  than  suspected  to  be  the  work  of  that  scoundrel 
Thompson !  Acted  Sardanapalus  indifferently ;  the  whole  appoint- 
ment of  the  play  was  "wretched — Myrrha  execrable !  I  as  morose  and 
foolishly  passionate  as  hate  could  wish  me !  Oh !  why  cannot  I  cure 
myself  of  this  odious  vice  which  seems  growing  on  me? 

Elstree,  March  ISth. — Began  Bulwer's  Pelham. 

London,  March  15th. — Forster  told  me  of  Talfourd  having  com- 
pleted a  tragedy  called  Ion.  What  an  extraordinary,  what  an  in- 
defatigable man ! 

Salisbury,  March  16th. — Reached  Salisbury  at  five  o'clock,  where  I 
went  to  bed  at  the  Black  Horse  and  was  called  at  ten  ;  rose,  breakfasted 
and  went  to  my  lodgings ;  after  some  search  found  the  theatre,  and 
went  through  the  rehearsal.  My  Lady  Macbeth  was  a  relic  of  a  style 
gone  by,  the  veritable  "ti-tum-to"  "jerk  and  duck  and  twist"  in 
a  most  engaging  manner.  Tried  to  act  Macbeth,  but,  "  confusion  to 
ray  Lady !  "  it  was  too  farcical,  and  would  have  been  good  as  Dollalolla, 
but  quite  a  travesty  in  the  part  she  played.  Nearly  betrayed  on  one 
occasion  my  anger  at  one  of  the  performers,  but  was  very  thankful 
that  I  subdued  it  before  an  opportunity  for  explosion  was  given ; 
most  happily  I  did  not  expose  myself.  The  end  of  the  play  found  me 
very  much  exhausted.  My  spirits  have  been  much  depressed ;  the 
heavy  labour  of  my  onward  life,  indispensable  to  secure  my  blessed 
children's  independence,  makes  more  uncertain  the  fulfilment  of  my 
desire  to  watch  over  and  direct  their  education ;  but  the  consideration 
of  the  truth  condensed  in  the  precept,  "  To  thine  own  self  be  true, 
and  it  must  follow  as  the  night  the  day,  thou  canst  not  then  be  false 
to  any  man,"  has  comforted  and  reassured  me.  After  rehearsal  I 
walked  to  Brodie's  shop,  the  bookseller,  printer,  banker,  member  of 
parliament,  etc.,  of  this  city.  I  like  to  see  such  a  choice.  Bought 
guide  and  history  of  Salisbury,  and  experienced  great  attention  from 
the  gentleman  in  the  shop ;  read  the  papers  there.  Went  to  the  next 
door  to  see  a  Gothic  banqueting-hall,  which  had  been  many  years  built 
up,  but  was  now  restored  to  its  original  form  and  decoration  ;  it  was 
very  interesting  as  the  hall  of  a  merchant  and  shows  the  wealth  of  this 
city  in  earlier  times. 

March  ISth. — Letter  from  dear  Catherine,  and  the  M.  Post  news- 
paper sent  by  Mr.  Gould   (I  think  he  is  not  hard  to  fathom  !)  con- 

219 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

taininpf  a  criticism  of  Mr.  Vandenhoff's  Werner,  and  speakinpj  of  it  as 
the  last  and  most  signal  of  a  long  list  of  failures.  I  would  not  wish 
to  disguise  my  feelings  and  thoughts ;  it  gave  me  satisfaction  to  see 
even  this  vindication  of  myself  and  my  claims  on  popular  favour ;  this 
man  is  no  artist ;  he  is  a  very  vile  imitator,  a  servile  slave  of  the  Press, 
and  I  believe  an  utterly  low  and  worthless  character.  The  article  upon 
him  was  like  justice  to  myself,  and  it  really  cheered  me.  Acted  Hamlet 
remarkably  well,  and  made  some  manifest  improvements  in  the  first 
scene,  third  scene  and  second  act. 

March  19th. — Began  my  packing  before  I  came  downstairs ; 
received  letters  from  Mrs.  Bennett  conceding  the  alteration  of  the  time 
of  my  engagement,  and  from  Mr.  Beetham,  stating  his  opinion  that 
Mr.  Bunn  meant  to  defend  an  action  for  the  £30  due.  What  will  not 
such  a  miscreant  do  I  Acted  Werner  but  middlingly ;  was  harassed 
and  disconcerted  occasionally  by  the  performers,  and  disturbed  by 
various  riotous  spirits  in  the  course  of  the  performance.  The  door- 
keeper asked  me  for  something,  and  I  rebuked  him  for  asking.  The 
check-taker  (who  next?)  put  in  a  claim  which  I  with  much  reserve 
and  cold  civility  said  I  would  speak  to  the  manager  about,  and,  if 
usual,  would  satisfy  him — the  impudent  fellow  !  I  perceive  Sir  Edward 
Sugden  has  thrown  up  the  Chancellorship  of  Ireland.  This  very 
intemperate  man's  behaviour  is  a  lesson  to  any  observer ;  his  precipita- 
tion constantly  places  him  in  dilemmas  which  his  want  of  temper  and 
of  judgment  make  real  evils  to  him.  His  wife,  ci-devant  mistress, 
wished  to  go  to  the  Irish  Court.  The  I.ady-Iiieutenant  would  not 
receive  her,  and  the  Lord  Chancellor  gave  up  the  Seals !  * 

Elstree,  March  ^Srd. — I  took  up  the  novel  of  Pelham  again, 
which  interested  me  less  from  its  story  than  from  the  maxims 
and  deductions  which  the  reader  is  enabled  to  draw  from  it, 
among  these,  not  among  the  least  profitable,  if  well  weighed  and 
duly  acted  on,  is  that  wise  remark  :  "  Common  sense  never  quarrels 
with  any  one."  Oh,  that  I  had  early  received  the  benefit  of  such 
wise  inculcations.  Let  me  hope  that  my  children  may  learn  to  be 
wise  from  their  father's  errors.  Catherine,  I>etty  and  children 
returned,  bringing  with  them  medicine,  etc.,  and  a  Salisbury  paper  for 
me  with  a  criticism  of  the  most  detracting  character.  I  thought  the 
incivility  of  the  sender,  the  superintendent  of  Mr.  Brodie's  shop,  quite 

^  This  was,  apparently,  a  canard ;  Sugden  may  have  contemplated  resignation  but  he  did 
not  relinquish  the  Irish  Chancellorship  till  a  week  or  two  later  when  Sir  Robert  Peel's 
Government  quilted  office. 

220 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

inexcusable ;  I  was  annoyed  by  it  and  by  the  article.  Ought  I  to  look 
at  newspapers?  they  irritate  and  pain  me,  as  affecting  in  a  degree  my 
income.  Should  I  not,  with  "  my  wing  on  the  wind  and  my  eye  on 
the  sun,"  go  onward,  right  on,  without  looking  for  or  heeding  aught 
save  what  I  feel  affects  my  interest.  I  very  soon  dismissed  it.  Finished 
Pelham,  which  I  think  a  very  useful  book. 

London^  March  26th. — Calling  at  Forster's,  Procter  came  in, 
haggard,  old  and  miserable  with  grief  and  care ;  he  very  soon  told  his 
story — nine  of  his  family  sick  at  once  with  the  scarlet  fever ! — in  one 
month  100  visits  from  a  physician  to  his  boy,  his  hope  and  delight, 
whom  he  had  buried,  only  six  years  old,  ten  days  since ;  my  heart 
turned  to  my  own  blessed  children  and  my  prayer  now  lifts  itself  to 
God  for  His  mercy  upon  them.  How  light  are  the  causes  of  nsy 
complaining  when  weighed  in  the  balance  with  poor  Procter's  ills ! 

To  Bathf  March  9nth. — Towards  the  latter  part  of  my  journey  fell 
into  a  musing  on  the  questionable  profit  of  indulging  the  imagination 
by  the  study  of  poetry  and  history,  or  even  by  the  glance  upon  the 
surface  of  truth  which  the  limited  advance  of  science  can  give  us.  It 
seemed  to  me,  whose  remaining  years  on  earth  are  so  few,  as  merely 
"vanity,  vanity."  Virtue  is  the  only  real  good — love  the  only  real 
enjoyment  in  this  world.  Moral  philosophy,  which  is  the  practice  of 
religion,  is  the  only  study  about  which  man  needs  to  busy  himself, 
yet  surely  it  is  that  which  last  and  least  seems  to  concern  him.  My 
life  seems  to  have  gone  from  me,  and  what  have  I  made  of  it,  either 
for  myself  or  others  ?  The  care  (and  an  anxious,  almost  a  fretting  care 
it  is)  which  now  agitates  my  heart  is  the  provision  for  and  education 
of  my  beloved  children.  My  life  to  come,  whatever  it  may  be,  is 
theirs.  May  God  of  His  infinite  mercy  grant  that  it  may  be  spent  in 
effectual  endeavour  to  confirm  them  in  virtue  and  to  secure  to  them 
in  every  respect  the  means  of  happiness !     Amen ! 

March  9,8th. — Went  to  the  theatre,  and  acted  both  Cardinal 
Wolsey  and  Sir  C.  Rackett  very  indifferently ;  in  the  latter  I  was  made 
much  worse  than  I  should  have  been  by  the  gross  imperfectness  of 
Mrs.  Lovell,  but  I  did  not  scold. 

Exeter^  March  QOth. — Saw  Hayward  on  the  box  of  a  britzska,  and 
recognizing  him  followed  him  to  the  inn — saw  Douglas,  and  was  intro- 
duced to  Mr.  H.  Williams,  Vinerian  Professor  at  Oxford.  Walked 
out  with  Hayward,  who  gave  me  the  history  of  my  rejection  through 
Croker  at  the  Athenceum.  He  talks  of  '"  bringing  people  over  to 
me  " ;  but  I  do  not  wish  to  enter  that  or  any  society  on  such  grounds, 

221 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

and  I  say  cheerfully  with  Coriolanus :  "Why,  let  it  go!  "  Met 
Greaves,  who  had  been  to  call  upon  me ;  settled  that  he  should  call 
on  me  to-morrow  at  ten ;  walked  with  Hay  ward  and  half  promised  to 
breakfast  with  him.  Coming  to  lodgings,  laid  out  my  clothes  for 
night — dined  cautiously — rested — and  looked  over  part  of  Macbeth  : 
acted  it  unequally,  but  of  the  entire  personation  I  must  speak  in 
censure ;  want  of  tone,  want  of  coUectedness,  time,  countenance,  and 
many  important  items ;  among  the  most  important,  temper  ! 

March  Slst. — Greaves  called  at  ten  o'clock,  and  after  sitting  a  short 
time,  during  which  he  alluded  to  his  loss,  I  accompanied  him  to  his 
house  over  the  bridge ;  he  told  me  that  in  forty  years'  practice  a 
Leicester  lawyer  could  not  say  he  had  seen  five  Chancery  suits  fairly 
carried  through,  nor  could  he  acknowledge  more  than  one ;  he  spoke  of 
the  premises  he  intended  taking  when  first  setting  up  in  Leicester,  but 
hearing  they  were  the  subject  of  a  Chancery  suit  "to  be  finished  next 
term  "  he  declined  them  ;  they  stood  to  become  a  ruin,  past  which 
he  used  to  walk,  as  if  accidentally,  his  clients  whenever  they  wished  him 
to  file  a  hill.     It  saved  many  suits/ 

April  2nd. — Kept  awake  by  a  long  train  of  angry  and  vindictive 
thought  upon  Mr.  Croker's  hostile  interposition  at  the  Athenaeum 
upon  my  election.  So  much  for  the  desirability  of  our  mental  con- 
quests !  Pride  is  the  most  deaf  of  all  the  follies  that  buzz  their  false- 
hoods into  the  ears  of  men.  An  anecdote  in  Chambers^  Journal 
exposing  the  weakness  and  littleness  of  revenge  restored  me  to  com- 
placency. How  strong  my  passions  must  have  been !  and  how  unfit 
to  cope  with  the  world  1  How  grateful  ought  I  to  feel,  ill-regulated 
as  they  have  been,  for  the  comparatively  little  mischief  they  have  drawn 
upon  me  when  I  reflect  on  what  they  might  have  led  me  to ! 

April  Srd. — Went  to  rehearsal,  and  on  my  return  took  a  warm 
bath ;  learnt  that  the  baths  are  very  little  used,  and  that  throughout 
England  the  same  observation  is  to  be  made ;  this  does  not  say  much 
for  our  cleanliness.  I  acted  Werner  indifferently — (Qua  fugere  vires  ?), 
was  very  much  distressed ;  played  Delaval  a  little  better,  but  not 
buoyantly.    I  am  a  middle-aged  man,  and  not  beseeming  a  juvenile  levity. 

To  London,  April  4t/i. — Paid  all  dues  on  self  and  luggage,  and 
took  my  seat.  Slept  to  Ilminster,  where  I  was  astonished  to  see 
Hay  ward  again.  He  told  me  he  was  going  to  town  by  the  coach — 
asked  me  of  the  Ministerial  minority  on  which  I  could  say  little.     We 

*  The  term  "in  Chancery"  had  still  the  dread  significance  revealed  by  Dickens  in  his 
famous  description  o^  Jamdyce  v.  lamdyce. 
222 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

talked  away  much  of  the  journey  and  some  of  the  skin  of  my  throat. 
He  is  very  intelligent,  good-natured,  and,  if  a  little  vain,  may  find 
an  ample  set-off  in  his  deservings.  He  reasoned  very  clearly,  I  thought, 
against  the  Local  Courts  Bill,  observing,  if  it  were  passed,  it  should 
presume  the  existence  of  a  Code  of  Laws  to  make  the  law  certain  and 
equal.  He  produced  some — several — extracts  from  Whittle  Harvey's  ^ 
own  defence,  which  utterly  condemned  him.  How  necessary  it  is  to 
receive  with  caution  ex  parte  statements,  or  evidence  of  any  kind ! 
Gave  me  a  little  of  the  scandal  of  high  ( ! )  life,  which  only  shows  its 
lowness  more  disgustingly.  Saw  in  the  newspaper  the  death  of  Dr. 
Maton,^  a  loss  to  his  country,  and  individually  to  me  a  great  one  from 
the  confidence  I  had  in  his  skill,  and  the  gratitude  with  which  I  have 
ever  remembered  him.  He  saved  my  life,  I  firmly  believe,  in  my  very 
serious  illness. 

April  6th. — Wrote  to  old  Mr.  Knowles,^  who  had,  I  think,  im- 
portunately and  indelicately  applied  for  my  subscription  to  his  diction- 
ary. He  has  been,  I  believe,  instrumental  in  exciting  ill-will  against 
me  in  the  Press,  and  has  been  the  disseminator  of  much  falsehood  and 
misrepresentation  respecting  me.  I  told  him  that  I  should  not  object 
to  purchase  his  completed  work,  but  that  I  disliked  subscribing. 

April  9th. — Letter  from  H.  Smith,  informing  me  of  the  rejection  of 
Ministers ;  *  I  felt  little  exultation  at  their  disgrace,  as  their  acceptance 
of  ofiice  appeared  to  be  more  disgraceful  to  them  than  their  dismissal ; 
nor  do  I  concern  myself  much  about  their  successors ;  they  are  all  selfish 
knaves — I  know  little  difference  among  them. 

London,   April  10th. — Called   on  Forster,   who   said  that   it   had 

^  Daniel  Whittle  Harvey  {1786-1863)  solicitor  and  M.P. ;  an  eloquent  speaker  and  thus 
of  service  to  the  Whig  Government  who,  however,  hesitated  to  give  him  a  place  owing  to  his 
doubtful  reputation.  Having  been  frequently  passed  over,  he  at  last  sought  an  interview 
with  Lord  Melbourne,  to  whom  he  complained  of  the  neglect  with  which  he  had  been  treated, 
citing  as  an  instance  a  small  Commissionership  which  had  not  even  been  offered  to  him. 
"  My  dear  sir,"  replied  Melbourne,  "  there  you  do  me  an  injustice.  I  wanted  to  give  you  that 
post,  but  took  the  precaution  of  first  sounding)  our  future  colleagues  and,  would  you  believe  it, 

the  d d  fellows  flatly  refused  to  sit  with  you  !  "     Eventually,  in  1840,  Hars'ey  obtained  a 

Commissionership  of  Police  which  he  held  for  over  twenty  years.  An  old  Parliamentarian  of 
that  (lay  who  entered  the  House  in  1826  informed  the  Editor  that  he  considered  Harvey  the 
most  eloquent  speaker  he  had  heard  in  the  House  of  Commons  since  Canning. 

2  William  George  Maton  {1774-1835)  an  eminent  physician  ;  M.D.  Oxford  and  F. L.S. ; 
physician-extraordinary  to  Queen  Charlotte  and  the  Duchess  of  Kent,  also  to  the  Princess, 
afterwards.  Queen  Victoria. 

=•  James  Knowles  ( 1 759- 1 840)  author  of  A  Pronouncing  and  Explanatory  Dictionary  oj  the 
English  Language. 

*  Sir  Robert  Peel's  Government  ;  it  had  been  outvoted  six  times  in  six  weeks. 

223 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

been  proposed  to  Fonblanque  ^  to  go  into  Parliament  and  take  office ; 
I  question  it,  not  his  ability  or  desert,  but  the  ripeness  of  time  is  not 
yet  come  when  a  man  will  be  judged  by  his  merit  alone.  In  the  coach 
to  Crayford.  Walked  with  Bourne  through  Bexley  to  North  Cray ; 
went  over  the  villa  where  Lord  Londonderry  lived  and  died — into  the 
room  where  he  destroyed  himself.  Men  more  different  in  temperament, 
intellect  and  disposition  could  scarcely  be  found  than  Whitbread, 
Romilly  and  Londonderry,  yet  the  same  fate  attended  all.^  An  enigma ! 
The  grounds  are  pretty. 

April  11th. — Dined  at  Garrick  Club,  saw  Captain  Williams,  heard 
that  news  of  Mathews's  death  is  daily  expected.  Is  iV  as  we  near  the 
verge  of  life  we  mark  more  attentively  the  departure  of  our  fellow- 
men?  Or  is  there  an  unusual  hard  run  on  life  at  the  present  period? 
Went  to  Drury  Lane,  saw  Poole's  ^  new  comedy :  old  jests,  not  good, 
and  the  old  style  of  jest — a  violent  and  vulgar  caricature,  with  no 
pretensions  to  the  title  of  comedy ;  void  of  all  semblance  of  character, 
wit  or  situation,  its  humour  (if  it  be  allowed  to  possess  any)  of  the 
most  exaggerated  kind.  How  remote  in  appearance,  dress,  manners 
and  deportment  from  well-bred  persons  were  the  "  ladies  and  gentle- 
men "  of  the  play !  how  destitute  of  grace,  freedom  and  address ! 
Messrs.  Cooper  and  Vining  and  Miss  Taylor  ^ — how  can  a  comedy  be 
acted  with  such  persons  to  represent  educated  or  fashionable  people? 
Much  is  not  needed  to  give  a  hcau  ideal  of  the  class  that  affects  the 
latter  designation. 

ElstreCy  April  14fth. — Read  in  a  paper  of  Mr.  Kean's  ^  continued 
success.  Here  is  an  evidence  of  the  evil  tendency  of  our  profession — 
there  is  so  little  room  for  talent,  and  degrees  of  success  are  so  unim- 
portant below  the  first  (for  scarcely  any  below  the  very  head  can  reckon 
upon  an  income  to  give  a  surplus)  that  we  look  with  apprehension  upon 
every  aspirant  to  a  first  rank  and  feel  our  own  means  of  subsistence 

^  Albany  Fonblanque  (see  note,  p.  142). 

*  Whitbread  was  suffering  from  a  specific  disorder  of  the  brain,  and  Romilly's  mind,  or 
rather  his  mental  control,  gave  way  under  his  overwhelming  grief  at  the  loss  of  his  wife. 
Lord  Londonderry  (better  known  as  Lord  Castlereagh)  had  long  been  the  victim  of  an 
infamous  gang  of  blackmailers,  who,  plying  their  persecutions  when  his  nervous  system  became 
unstrung  from  overwork,  drove  him,  in  a  paroxysm  of  apprehension,  to  destroy  himself. 
Ordinarily  both  he  and  Romilly  were  characterized  by  imperturbable  courage  and 
fortitude. 

'  John  Poole  (1786-1872)  a  comedy  and  farce-writer  of  some  popularity  in  his  earlier 
days. 

*  Harriette  Deborah  Taylor  (1807-1874)  married  Walter  Lacy,  otherwise  Williams.  In 
spite  of  his  depreciation  Macready  enlisted  her  in  his  company  later  on. 

*  Charles  Kean. 

224 


1835]         THE  DIARIES  OF  MACREADY 

trenched  upon  by  the  progress  of  youthful  genius.  Hence  that  selfish 
feeling  of  fear  and  in  too  many  that  desire  of  detracting  from  con- 
temporary merit  that  too  frequently  disgraces  us.  God  grant  that  I 
may  neither  manifest  nor  entertain  such  unworthy  sentiments  I 

April  16th. — Received  letter  from  Mr.  Bunn,  offering  me  X30 
per  week  to  act  four  nights  in  the  week  and  half  a  clear  Benefit.  Con- 
sidered all  the  motives  that  my  desire  to  form  a  right  judgment  could 
suggest,  and  thought  it  unadvisable  to  appear  in  London  under  the 
circumstances  of  the  present  season.  I  have  endeavoured  to  see  the 
path  most  likely  to  lead  to  good  for  my  own  and  my  dear  family's 
sake ;  I  hope  in  God  that  I  have  chosen  it.     I  wrote  to  decline  the  offer. 

Norwich,  April  21st. — Saw  some  letters  of  a  vulgar,  troublesome 
player  who  would  demonstrate  to  any  one  needing  it  the  paltriness  and 
uselessness  of  striving  to  say  bitter  and  insulting  things.  What  is  ever 
obtained  by  an  insult  ?     Nothing  but  an  enemy. 

April  22nd. — With  an  earnest  desire  of  acting  Hamlet  well, 
lay  down  on  the  bed  after  dinner  striving  to  keep  it  in  my  mind. 
Went  refreshed  and  rather  confident  to  the  theatre,  but  very  much 
disappointed  in  my  own  performance.  I  might  find  an  excuse  for  my 
inability  to  excite  the  audience  in  the  difficulty  of  ascertaining  where 
the  audience  was,  but  I  allow  no  plea  or  reservation  in  the  question  of 
playing  as  I  ought  or  not.*  I  did  not  satisfy  myself.  My  only  con- 
solation was  that,  though  provoked  once  or  twice,  I  manifested  not 
the  slightest  appearance  of  anger.  How  is  it  that,  with  the  pains  and 
precaution  I  take,  I  should  thus  disappoint  myself  ?  Am  I  too  fastidious 
and  too  careful  ?  Were  I  less  so,  what  would  become  of  me  ?  In  the 
opening  speeches  to  the  king  and  queen  I  was  better  than  usual — 
more  direct,  and  with  more  meaning  and  true  feeling.  My  soliloquy 
was,  at  least  the  latter  part  of  it,  flurried,  not  well  discriminated,  not 
well  given  in  regard  to  action — it  wants  finish  and  study.  The  scene 
with  Horatio,  etc.,  still  requires  study  and  earnestness;  the  interview 
with  and  address  to  the  Ghost,  re-arrangement,  except  the  latter  part, 
which  I  did  well  to-night.  The  last  scene  of  the  first  act  was  amended 
to-night,  but  needs  study,  finish,  clear  discrimination.  Act  second — 
scene  with  Polonius — more  ease,  abstraction,  and  point ;  with  Rosen- 
crantz  and  Guildenstern,  more  ease  and  dignity  and  purpose ;  with  the 
players,  more  point  and  discrimination.  The  soliloquy  also  requires  a 
little  finish.  Act  third — soliloquy  requires,  and  always  will  require, 
study  and  practice.  I  was  pretty  well  to-night ;  with  Ophelia,  a  little 
softening  and  practice ;  with  the  players,  throughout,  rearrangement 
and  study  ;  the  scene  with  Horatio,  a  little  more  melancholy  and  tender- 

VOL.   I.  Q  225 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

ness.  The  music  beginning  piano  is  very  good,  the  play  scene  is  good, 
and  the  remainder  of  the  act.  The  closet  scene  requires  a  little  revision 
and  correcting.  Act  fourth — ^try  over  that  scene  often.  Act  fifth — 
requires  much  earnestness  and  much  study ;  it  was,  as  a  whole,  the 
best  part  of  the  play  to-night. 

April  23rd. — I  must  not  forget  an  anecdote  Mr.  Simpson  told  me 
of  Madame  Schroder  ^  which  evinces  clearly  the  love  of  their  art  with 
which  the  German  actors  are  inspired.  He  asked  her,  after  the  play 
of  Romeo  and  Julietf  how  she,  who  could  so  delineate  the  sublime 
character  of  Lady  Macbeth,  could  condescend  to  represent  one  so 
inferior  as  Lady  Capulet?  "Condescend,"  she  replied,  "is  it  not 
Shakspeare  I  acted?  " 

To  Elstree,  April  29th. — Read  the  Times,  being  curious  to  see 
their  reasonings  and  their  tone  of  politics ;  was  shocked  and  disgusted 
at  the  insidious  attempt  to  make  their  deluded  readers  believe  that 
the  safety  of  their  religion  was  endangered  by  the  Catholic  leaders. 
If  ever  there  was  venal  turpitude  in  a  larger  amount  to  one  man's 
share  than  to  another,  Mr.  Barnes  or  Mr.  Walter,*  or  both,  are  covered 
with  sin  and  infamy. 

London f  May  1st. — From  chambers  took  cab  to  St.  James's  Square. 
Dined  at  the  Windham  (the  best  club  in  London)  with  Lardner,  and 
went  with  him  to  the  Royal  Institution.'  Saw  in  the  theatre^  Mr. 
Willett,  Faraday,*  Hume,  Brown,  General  Peachy,  Tomlinson,  and 
George  Ward.  Was  very  much  interested  by  the  lecture  on  Halley's 
comet  and  pleased  with  Lardner 's  delivery. 

May  6th. — Came  to  town  by  Bryant,  reading  the  pleasing  poem 
of  Van  Artevelde  on  the  road.  Found  at  chambers  Talfourd's  play 
of  Ion,  in  the  preface  to  which  is  a  most  kind  mention  of  myself. 
Called  on  Forster,  whom  I  found  in  a  mysterious  sort  of  uneasiness 
— he  talked  of  having  expected  to  "go  out  "  with  some  one,''  and 

^  Schroder-Devrient  (see  note,  p.  29). 

*  John  Walter  (i  776-1847)  the  second  of  that  name.  Proprietor  and  joint  editor  of  the 
Times,  and  that  time  M.P.  for  Berkshire.  Originator  of  the  foreign  "Special  Corre- 
spondent. " 

'  Of  the  Royal  Institution. 

*  Michael  Faraday  {1791-1867)  then  at  the  height  of  his  fame  as  a  scientific  dis- 
coverer. 

'  This  duel  did  not  take  place  ;  Forster's  pugnacity  had  an  admixture  of  prudence  which 
always  contrived  to  obviate  the  ordeal  of  pistols.  Once,  however,  he  narrowly  escaped  coming 
to  a  violent  end  by  the  hand  of  the  usually  amiable  Robert  Browning,  who,  stung  beyond 
endurance  by  his  offensiveness  at  a  friend's  house  after  dinner,  seized  a  heavy  cut-glass  decanter 
with  murderous  intent,  and  was  only  prevented  from  hurling  it  across  the  table  by  the  nimble 
intervention  of  his  host. 
226 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

o£  his  possible  journey  into  Devonshire.  All  that  I  could  collect 
to  the  purpose  was  that  he  could  not  see  me  at  dinner  to-morrow. 
Lunched,  and  came  home  by  Billings,  continuing  the  perusal  of  Van 
Artevelde,  and  admiring  the  clear  and  pearly  beauty  of  the  sky  and 
the  extent  of  prospect  it  afforded.  Pleased  with  the  extracts  of 
Bulwer's  book. 

Elstree,  May  Ith. — Read  Talfourd's  tragedy  of  Ion;  pleased  with 
the  opening  scenes  and,  as  I  proceeded,  arrested  and  held  by  the 
interest  of  the  story  and  the  characters,  as  well  as  by  the  very  beautiful 
thoughts,  and  the  very  noble  ones,  with  which  the  play  is  interspersed. 
How  delightful  to  read  his  dedication  to  his  master  and  benefactor. 
Dr.  Valpy,^  and  the  gentle  outpourings  of  his  affectionate  heart  towards 
his  friends  and  associates ;  if  one  did  not  love,  one  would  envy  such  a 
use  of  such  abilities.  Letter  from  Forster  mysteriously  repeating  his 
answer  of  yesterday.  Wrote  to  Talfourd  on  his  tragedy,  and  inviting 
him  to  dinner.  After  dinner  I  watered  some  of  the  plants  in  the 
garden  and  enjoyed  the  freshness  of  the  air,  the  verdure  and  the  flowers, 
and  the  lightly  clouded  sky  that  was  soon  naked  and  bare,  one  placid 
depth  for  the  moon's  brightness  to  sail  through.    It  was  enjoyment. 

May  Sth. — A  note  from  Dunn,  inquiring  if  I  would  play  in  con- 
junction with  Malibran  in  La  Juive,  to  which  I  answered  no.  Read 
three  acts  of  Miss  Agnes  Strickland's  ^  play ;  how  much  time  I  am 
forced  to  expend  in  this  kind  of  unprofitable  labour ! 

To  London^  May  10th. — A  letter  from  Dr.  Lardner,  accepting  our 
invitation  and  sending  us  two — one  to  dine  on  Thursday,  the  other 
to  an  evening  party  on  Tuesday  week ;  read  Examiner^  Wrote  notes 
to  Messrs.  Warren,  O'Hanlon,  Walker,  inviting  them ;  t»  Dr.  Lardner 
accepting  invitations,  and  to  Fred  Reynolds  on  Miss  Strickland's  play. 
Came  to  town  by  Billings's  afternoon  coach,  and  read  some  cantos  in 
Gary's  Dante,  much  of  which  I  found  difficult,  and  to  some  of  which 
I  could  make  out  no  meaning.  Arrived  in  town ;  my  spirits  were 
particularly  low,  and  the  mauvaise  honte,  which  makes  me  uncomfort- 
able in  being  seen — for  my  reason  contradicts  the  notion  of  being 
looked  at — quite  annoyed  and  distressed  me. 

To  Bathy  May  11th. — A  woman  in  the  coach  to-day  was  very 
anxious  in  her  inquiries  after  "the  lord,"  a  young  lad  on  the  top  of 
the  coach — whether  he  dined,  etc.     It  seems  Mary  Bucknill  stared  at 

^  Richard  Valpy  (1754-1836),  D.D.  ;  headmaster  of  Reading  School,  over  which  he  pre- 
sided for  nearly  fifty  years  with  great  distinction  and  success. 

*  Agnes  Strickland  (1796- 1 874)  the  historian,  best  known  by  her  Lives  of  the  Queens  of 
England. 

Q  2  227 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1885 

the  dull  face  of  Lord  Northland  all  church  time — to  satiate  her  gaze  on 
a  lord,  I  suppose.  When  are  these  people  lords,  except  when  they  are 
called  so  ?    If  a  few  men  would  refuse  to  call  them  so,  what  are  they  ? 

May  l^th. — Ruminated  on  the  sore  subject  of  my  expenses,  and 
certainly  were  I  not  hampered  with  the  lease  of  my  house  I  would 
leave  it;  as  it  is,  I  do  not  well  know  what  to  do.  A  case  of  self- 
interest  brought  to  my  mind  the  counterpart  of  the  case  of  a  graduated 
property-tax,  and  feeling  in  my  own  person  the  injustice  of  such  a  scale 
I  am  obliged  to  apply  it  where  the  argument  makes  for  me.  A 
graduated  property-tax  is  an  injustice.     Fonblanque  is  right. 

Worcester,  May  12th. — Arrived  about  five ;  and,  after  looking  at 
my  rooms,  proceeded  to  the  theatre ;  could  not  gain  admission,  and  had 
to  wait  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour  in  a  public-house  for  the  arrival 
of  the  housekeeper.  Unpacked  and  dressed ;  though  the  rain  poured 
down  the  house  was  very  good,  and  I  acted  Virginius  very  well,  and 
without  any  anger  at  all.  It  was  very  decently  done;  only  Dentatus 
had  put  a  surplice  over  his  street  clothes  and  put  part  of  a  sheep's 
fleece  on  his  chin  for  a  beard.  Mr.  Bennett  paid  me,  and  I  came  to  the 
Star,  where  I  read  the  paper. 

Elstree,  May  llth. — Talfourd,  White,  Price  and  Mrs.  Talfourd 
arrived.  Talfourd  brought  me  four  books  of  Ion.  An  agreeable  day, 
except  that  the  argument  on  Malthus  between  ourselves  and  Dr. 
Lardner  became  loud  and  earnest. 

London,  May  21st. — Called  at  Forster's  chambers  to  arrange  with 
him  a  visit  to  Mr.  Maclise.^  Accompanied  Forster  to  Mr.  Maclise's 
lodgings — found  him  a  young,  prepossessing,  intelligent  man,  anxious 
to  paint  my  picture.  Saw  his  large  one  of  Captain  Rock,  and  several 
smaller  of  great  merit.     Agreed  to  sit  to  him. 

May  22nd. — Read  newspaper,  in  which  was  an  account  of  a  dinner 
to  Mr.  C.  Kean  by  the  inhabitants  of  Waterford.  It  is  not  pleasant 
to  me  to  see  these  frequent  demonstrations  of  partiality  to  him,  as 
they  naturally  excite  the  apprehension  that  he  must  merit  them. 

May  23rd. — Proceeded  to  Warren  Street,  and  called  on  old  Rey- 
nolds,^ whom  I  found  the  same  in  inveteracy,  obscenity,  and  only 
changed  in  politics.  Note  from  H.  Smith,  acquainting  me  with  a 
message  from  M.  Cloup,  the  director  of  the  French  company,  regretting 
he  had  not  known  of  my  visit  that  he  might  have  offered  me  a  box, 
and  wishing  to  know  if  the  speculation  would  answer  at  Bath ;  a  note 

^  Daniel  Maclise  ( 1 806-1 870)  the  eminent  painter.     R.A.  184a 
*  Frederic  Reynolds  (1764-1841)  the  dramatist. 

228 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

from  Bunn,  stating  that  he  had  called  yesterday.  Dined  with  Mr. 
Warren,  where  I  met  Mr.  Brockedon/  whose  acquaintance  I  desired 
to  make.    Passed  a  very  cheerful  afternoon. 

May  24t/t. — Dined  with  Catherine  at  Talfourd's,  where  we  met 
Sheil,  Procter,  Douglas,  Whitton,  Chilton,  who  seemed  quite  glad  to 
renew  our  acquaintance,  Messrs.  Healey  and  Northcott;  after  dinner 
Mrs.  Talfourd's  sisters  came  with  their  father,  a  most  intelligent, 
interesting  old  gentleman.  Returned  to  Elstree,  where  we  arrived  at 
half-past  one,  and  I  found  notes  from  Dr.  Lardner,  pressing  me  to  dine 
on  Tuesday  with  him  to  meet  Mrs.  Stanhope,  Mrs.  Norton,^  Jenny 
Vertpr^,  Fonblanque,  etc.,  inviting  Catherine  to  join  the  party,  and 
asking  me  for  an  introduction  to  Malibran. 

May  9,6th. — Went  to  read  the  papers  at  the  Garrick  Club,  where 
I  saw  Talfourd,  Fladgate,  Raymond ;  went  upstairs  and  read  Miss 
F.  Kemble's  Journal — a  confirmation  of  my  original  opinion  of  her 
presumption,  conceit,  vulgarity  of  mind  and  quackery — a  correction 
of  the  idea  I  had  entertained  of  her  literary  talent.  It  was  evidently 
written  for  publication,  and  the  papers  are  not  the  actual  thoughts  and 
feelings  which  a  person  notes  down  for  the  purposes  of  reference  and 
self-correction,  but  what  a  person  besotted  with  the  flattery  of  the 
ignorant  and  undiscriminating  elaborates  for  effect,  and  to  support  the 
reputation  she  arrogates  as  belonging  to  her !  Coming  downstairs, 
saw  Price,  Forster,  Stanhope,  Villiers.  Went  to  Dr.  Lardner's ;  met 
Mrs.  Shelley,  Miss  Sheridan,  Lord  Adare,  Colonel  ^  and  Mrs.  Stanhope, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Norton,  Fonblanque  and  Miss  Keene.  I  could  not  look 
at  Mrs.  Norton  without  looking  long — her  face  is  one  to  think  of. 
Mrs.  Stanhope  is  lively,  but  trifling.  She  spoke  of  the  '*  vulgarity  " 
of  a  blue  coat,  not  perceiving  that  I  wore  one.  She  endeavoured  to 
amend  it,  but  patching  such  a  thing  only  makes  the  place  more  remark- 
able. I  liked  Fonblanque  very  much  and  Colonel  Stanhope — Lord 
Adare  was  very  quick.  Mr.  Norton  *  is  a  coxcomb — I  thinTc.  Saw 
the  Sheils,  Hayward,  O'Hanlon  (who  told  me  that  the  French  of  my 
note  to  Vertpr^  was  much  better  than  the  English),  Martin,  to  whom 

1  William  Brockedon  (1787-1854^  F.R.S,,  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Royal  Geographical 
Society  ;  a  well-known  painter  and  illustrator. 

*  The  Hon.  Mrs.  Norton  (1808-1877)  ;  the  famous  "society  beauty"  and  authoress, 

'  Colonel  the  Hon.  Leicester  Stanhope  (1784-1862)  afterwards  fifth  earl  of  Harrington. 
Well  known  as  Byron's  friend  and  colleague  in  Greece. 

*  The  Hon.  George  Chappie  Norton  ;  Mrs.  Norton's  husband,  who  in  the  following  year 
brought  an  abortive  action  for  crim.  con.  against  Lord  Melbourne.  He  was  a  moody, 
pragmatical  man,  but  Mrs.  Norton  with  her  Sheridan  temperament  and  troops  of  admirers 
was  in  many  respects  a  trying  wife. 

229 


THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

I  was  introduced,  Lady  SejTHour  and  I  think  Mrs.  Blackwood  * 
Babbage.  Mrs.  Norton,  on  going  away,  returned  to  find  me,  and 
expressed  her  wish  to  see  me  at  her  house.  I  do  not  understand  this ; 
I  cannot  feel  that  I  contribute  to  the  pleasure  of  society,  and  must 
suppose  that  the  policy  of  persons  "  in  the  world  "  suggests  the 
expediency  of  having,  when  mere  civility  can  purchase  it,  the  good 
word  of  every  one.  It  is  wise,  but  hollow.  I  was  distressed  in  fearing 
I  had  used  a  wrong  expression  in  French  to  Mrs.  Shelley.^  What 
satisfaction  I  had  in  finding  at  home  that  I  was  correct! 

May  2,11th. — Lay  very  late,  though  early  awake,  but  I  continued 
Van  Artevelde  from  where  I  left  off  last  night  until  my  headache 
warned  me  to  sleep  again.  I  am  not  formed  for  the  world's  vain 
pleasures — they  must  be  substantial  ones  of  feeling,  thought  or  sense 
to  hold  me  captive.  Sent  Healey  upon  errands,  and  made  Van 
Artevelde  my  breakfast  companion.  Talfourd  objects  to  the  second 
volume,  and  seems  almost  to  feel  his — Artevelde's — love  for  Elena  a 
pollution  of  his  own  heart  and  a  wrong  to  the  memory  of  Adriana. 
I  do  not  feel  it  so.  We  are  human  beings ;  the  heart  of  man  cannot 
endure  a  state  of  solitude  and  bereavement ;  it  is  not  that  alone  which 
is  lovable  that  induces  us  to  love,  the  disposition  to  love  is  part  of  our 
being,  we  lean  towards  something  with  a  natural  yearning,  and  if  we 
find  it  not  we  weaken  or  grow  hard  in  selfish  purpose.  To  live  alone 
a  man  must  be  either  brutal  or  divine,  as  Bacon  tells  us,  and  what 
loneliness  is  like  that  of  a  desolated  heart  ?  I  feel,  in  Artevelde's  love 
for  Elena,  that  it  is  a  pillow  on  which  he  rests  his  heart,  bruised  and 
somewhat  weakened  by  its  affliction  and  desert  state,  and  wearied  with 
the  cares,  from  which  hope  slowly  is  detaching  itself,  that  have  no 
other  solace.  What  a  charming  book  it  is !  Forster  called  in,  and 
wished  me  to  write  a  review  of  Miss  F.  Kemble's  book ;  but  I  cannot 
conceal  the  fact  from  myself  that  I  cannot  write  now  for  the  public. 
I  have  been  left  behind  in  the  world's  march.  It  is  not  vanity  that 
makes  me  case  myself  in  pride,  but  a  consciousness  of  not  having  won 
a  secure  title  to  distinction,  and  the  nervous  and  unquiet  apprehension 
of  its  being  questioned.     Called  on  Picker sgill,^  who  introduced  me 

*  Mrs.  Norton's  sister,  afterwards  respectively  the  Duchess  of  Somerset  and  Lady  Dufferin. 

^  The  widow  of  Shelley  the  poet,  who  was  now  *'  cultivating  society  "  for  the  sake  of  her 
son  (the  late  Sir  Percy  Shelley),  much  to  the  indignation  of  her  rejected  suitor,  Edward 
Trelawney. 

'  Henry  William  Pickersgill(i782-l875),  R.A.,  a  portrait-painter  greatly  in  request  during 
this  and  the  earlier  Victorian  period  ;  his  reputation,  however,  has  not  survived,  and,  to  judge 
by  the  existing  examples  of  his  work,  with  good  reason. 

230 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

to  his  wife  and  daughter  and  showed  me  his  pictures — one  very  good 
of  Wordsworth,  and  one  that  interested  me  much,  of  H.  Taylor — 
P.  Van  Artevelde.  Bought  gloves,  and,  to  escape  the  threatening 
storm,  took  cab  and  drove  to  the  Garrick  Club.  Read  the  papers, 
dined,  and  proceeded  in  Mrs.  Butler's  Journal — what  affected,  vulgar, 
stilted  trash !  Yet  despite  the  general  disgusting  character  of  her 
book  you  see  evidences  of  thought  and  a  superior  intellect.  To  my 
deep  sorrow  I  committed  myself  most  rashly,  most  foolishly,  in  speaking 
before  a  stranger,  Mr.  McMahon,  of  the  Quarterly  Review,  which  on 
account  of  the  ill-blood  it  stirred  between  America  and  this  country 
I  stigmatized  as  that  "accursed  book." 

May  9,8th. — Called  on  Bunn  in  Prince's  Place ;  talked  long  on 
other  matters,  and  at  length  came  to  the  point  of  our  meeting,  and 
agreed  on  next  season's  engagement :  .£30  unsubtracted ;  four  nights 
per  week  ;  half  a  Benefit ;  Bridal  ^  on  usual  terms  ;  three  weeks'  vacation, 
last  of  Lent.  Which  I  pray  to  God  may  be  fortunate  and  prosperous. 
Sent  to  order  carriage  for  the  evening.  Dined  at  Garrick  Club,  where 
I  was  much  amused  by  a  quiz — put  upon  a  Middlesex  magistrate  there 
— of  giving  power  of  expelling  five  members  annually  to  the  Com- 
mittee. Went  to  Horace  Twiss's.  Saw  Hook,  Dance,  Hayward,  Mrs. 
Whitlock  ^ — quite  old — Mrs.  Arkwright,^  Twisses,  Lockharts  and 
Lord  and  Lady  Courtenay.  Was  very  much  delighted  with  the  singing 
of  Mrs.  Arkwright,  whose  powers  of  expression,  with  but  little  voice, 
proves  the  truth  of  the  theory  I  have  always  held  with  regard  to  music. 
Her  style  is  what  we  would  suppose  the  troubadours  or  bards  to  have 
been.  Heard  Hook  improvise  a  song  on  "The  Child's  Christening." 
I  was  disappointed  in  this  exhibition — it  seems  more  a  knack  to  me 
than  a  talent ;  as  for  himself,  I  think  him  a  very  vulgar  buffoon — 
wonder  at  his  admission  and  still  more  at  his  retention  of  place  in 
society.*     Planche's  imitation  of  James  Smith  ^  was  admirable. 

^  The  dramatic  copyright  of  the  Bridal  belonged  to  Macready  {note  by  Sir  F. 
Pollock). 

*  Elizabeth  Whitlock  (1761-1836)  nJe  Kemble,  sister  of  Mrs.  Siddons,  but  very  inferior  to 
her  as  an  actress. 

^  One  of  the  Twiss  family,  a  charming  singer,  made  much  of  by  the  fashionable  world  ; 
the  Duke  of  Devonshire  had  a  great  regard  for  her. 

*  Macready  undoubtedly  underrated  Hook's  improvising  powers,  which  according  to  con- 
temporary accounts  and  quotations  amounted  to  a  good  deal  more  than  "  a  knack,"  though 
the  gift  was  not,  of  course,  of  an  exalted  order.  That  he  was  "  vulgar  "  and  a  "  buffoon"  is, 
however,  undeniable,  but  in  order  to  be  well  amused  "  Society"  was  as  tolerant  of  vulgarity 
in  those  days  as  it  is  at  present. 

'  The  joint  author  of  Reiected  Addresses. 

231 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

May  SOth, — Took  cab  to  St.  James's  Square  and  called  on  Lardner 
at  Windham  Club;  found  Mr.  Donovan  with  him,  a  chemist;  accom- 
panied them  to  a  lamp  shop  in  Regent  Street,  where  I  saw  a  curious 
French  lamp  and  heard  of  one  by  Donovan  to  burn  naptha.  Went 
in  the  coach  to  call  on  Mrs.  Norton ;  found  Lord  Castlereagh  ^  in  the 
drawing-room,  who  stared,  as  I,  entrenching  myself  in  my  democratic 
pride,  did  again.  We  waited  some  little  time,  when  Mrs.  Norton 
appeared,  dressed  for  a  walk ;  she  introduced  us,  and,  after  a  little 
chat  wherein  we  heard  of  the  duel  between  Lord  Seymour  and  Sir 
Colquhoun  Grant,^  we  ended  our  short  visit,  and  took  the  way  to 
Malibran,  on  whom  we  left  cards.  I  had  written  to  Bunn  for  opera- 
box,  and  wished  to  go  home  to  hear  of  my  success.  Called  at  the 
Garrick  Club,  and  read  in  papers  the  account  of  the  duel.  Saw  Price, 
H.  Reynolds,  with  whom  I  shook  hands,  etc.  Coming  home,  made  out 
parties  for  Sunday  and  Monday  next,  and  sent  out  notes-  Dressed 
and  went  to  Fonblanque's.  Saw  there  Lucien  Bonaparte,  Maclise, 
Colonel  Alexander  (who  recognized  me),  Cattermole,^  O'Hanlon,  who 
is  offensively  coarse :  saying  Mrs.  M danced  too  well,  and  appeal- 
ing to  Mrs.  Norton,  who,  with  Mr.  Norton,  was  there,  to  explain  his 
meaning — the  brute !  I  was  at  one  time  much  overcome  by  the  heat — 
Countess  Winterton,  Colonel  Evans,  Lardner,  were  there.  I  did  not 
enjoy  it.  My  hat  was  lost,  as  I  left  it  on  a  bench  to  hand  Mrs.  Norton 
into  the  refreshment-room.  Set  off  Catherine  and  Lydia,  and  obliged 
to  wait  till  the  last  for  the  left  hat.  Fonblanque's  son  at  half-past 
two  set  the  curtain  on  fire  and  crept  under  the  sofa.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Norton  took  me  home — at  least  part  of  the  way — and  were  at  infinite 
pains  by  the  way  to  explain  their  freedom  from  blame  in  the  late  elope- 
ment. Sir  C.  Grant  had  very  absurdly,  I  think,  insulted  Norton  upon 
it,  who  had  replied  very  properly  that  he  was  not  present.  They  are 
too  anxious  to  exculpate  and  justify  themselves  to  be  wholly  free  from 
censure.  Mrs.  Norton  is  most  beautiful,  witty,  clever,  but  not  elegant ; 
she  is  affected  and  an  intriguer.  I  suspect  purpose  in  all  she  says. 
Went  to  bed  sick  and  wearied  at  daylight,  to  rise  again  in  three  hours' 
time.    Oh,  pleasure  !  what  a  fatiguing,  unwholesome  business  art  thou  ! 

May  Slst. — Went  to  Forster's  to  dine.  Met  Stanfield,  Bulwer, 
Fonblanque,    Blanchard,    Talfourd,    Howard,    Maclise,    Cattermole, 

*  See  note,  p.  52. 

*  Relative  to  the  elopement  of  Sir  C.  Grant's  daughter  with  Mr.  Sheridan,  Lady  Seymour's 
brother,  which  Sir  C.  Grant  alleged  had  been  encouraged,  or,  at  any  rate,  countenanced  by 
Lady  Seymour  and  Mrs.  Norton. 

*  George  Cattermole  (1800- 1868),  the  well-known  artist  and  illustrator. 

232 


■■/  ^  '.^ 


THE    HON.    MRS.    NORTON 
Frohi  an  ewiraving  by  Thomson  of  a  painting  by  Sir  Cieor<ie  Ihit/ter,  Kt. 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Procter,  Leigh  Hunt,  T.  Fonblanque,  Price.     Pleasant  day.     Howard 
wanted  me  to  go  to  Lady  Blessington's,  but  was  not  dressed. 

Elstree,  June  3rd. — Received  notes  from  Talfourd  and  Maywood 
accepting  their  several  invitations,  and  another  from  Gaspey,  declining, 
and  at  some  length  observing  upon  the  Chancery  Bill.  He  intends  me 
kindness,  and  I  can  only  feel  kindly  the  manifestation  of  his  good-will. 
His  manners  are  unpolished,  even  to  disagreeableness,  but  through 
evil  report  and  good  report,  known  and  unknown,  he  has  been  uniformly 
consistent  in  advocating  my  claims  to  public  favour,  and  now  that  he 
has  relinquished  the  situation  which  enabled  him  to  serve  me  I  will  not 
let  him  suppose  me  quite  undeserving  the  opinion  he  has  held  of  me. 
He  is  kind-hearted  and  true. 

June  6th. — Read  the  remainder  of  first  book  of  Paradise  Lost ;  with 
the  exception  of  Addison,  Milton  seems  almost  as  unfortunate  in  his 
commentators  as  Shakspeare.  How  shallow  and  coxcombical  are  the 
remarks  and  exceptions  of  the  sparrow-like  flock  that  try  to  pursue  his 
eagle-flight !  He  actually  makes  us  believe  in  his  Satanic  host,  and 
they  live  in  our  minds,  armed  and  endowed  and  created  after  his 
mighty  will. 

June  1th. — Messrs.  Forster  and  Maclise  arrived,  literally  drenched 
with  rain,  having  been  caught  in  the  thunderstorm  which  had  fallen 
during  the  afternoon.  Gave  them  entire  changes  of  garment  and 
made  them  very  comfortable.  Fonblanque,  Miss  Keene  and  Dr.  Lard- 
ner  arrived,  Mrs.  Fonblanque  being  too  unwell  to  come.  Passed  a 
very  pleasant  day.  Liked  Fonblanque  the  more  I  saw  of  him.  Got 
into  a  very  long  conversation  with  him  and  Smith,  with  which  Lardner 
did  not  seem  pleased.  They  left  us  late ;  and,  against  our  remon- 
strances, Messrs.  Forster  and  Maclise  rode  home. 

June  8th. — Received  the  Spectator ^  which  contained  a  reference  to 
myself  of  the  most  ill-natured  and  injurious  tendency ;  a  statement 
made  on  no  grounds,  for  I  am  certain  the  person  who  wrote  it  has  not 
seen  me  act  Shakspeare  for  years.  It  annoyed  me  and  disgusted  me ; 
I  sicken  at  the  subjection  to  which  I  am  doomed,  and  these  base 
assaults  make  my  thoughts  turn  mournfully  and  forebodingly  to  my 
beloved  children.     I  was  in  very  low  spirits,  but  soon  recovered  myself. 

June  9th. — Letter  from  Bulwer  at  some  length,  excusing  himself 
from  dining  here  on  Sunday.  One  expression  in  his  letter  I  disliked — 
the  "honour  of  my  acquaintance."  My  acquaintance  can  be  no 
honour  to  such  a  man  as  Bulwer,  and  it  almost  seems  like  irony. 

June  11th. — Read  over  Lord  Byron's  Foscari,  which  does  not  seem 

^33 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

to  me  to  contain  the  power,  or  rather  the  variety  and  intensity  of 
passion  which  many  of  his  other  plays  do. 

June  12th. — Received  notes  from  Frederick  Reynolds,  regretting 
his  inability  to  visit  us  on  Sunday,  which  I  believe  he  would  desire ; 
from  Lardner,  informing  me  that  his  editors'  party  was  to  take  place 
this  (last)  evening ;  I  would  have  gone  had  I  been  sure  of  it,  as  I  would 
not  willingly  leave  a  means  untried  to  aggrandize  myself  for  my  dear 
children's  sake.  With  the  exception  of  those  few  and  high-souled 
spirits  such  as  Fonblanque,  Wallace,  Forster,  Dance,  and  some  kind 
ones  as  Jerdan,  Threlford,  Gaspey,  etc.,  I  may  say  of  them,  "  I  do 
despise  them,  for  they  do  prank  them  in  authority  beyond  all  noble 
sufferance."  Began  to  read  Marino  Faliero,  but  read  it  drowsily.  I 
wish  I  could  think  it  dramatic,  at  present  I  do  not. 

June  ISth. — Note  from  Procter,  excusing  himself  on  the  plea  of 
illness  from  dining  with  us  to-morrow.  Came  to  town  in  carriage  with 
Christina  and  Letitia,  reading  by  the  way  Marino  Faliero,  which  con- 
tains much  beautiful  poetry,  lofty  sentiment,  but  little  action,  and, 
consequently,  little  dramatic  situation.  Called  at  Garrick  Club. 
Planche  proposed  to  me  the  half  of  the  Adelphi  theatre.  I  could  not 
give  up  my  whole  self  to  the  emplojmient  of  conducting  it,  and  if  I 
did  not,  it  would  not  answer. 

June  \^th. — Omitted  going  to  church.  The  Talfourds  came. 
Walked  with  Talfourd  and  Chilton  and  Willie  some  time  in  the  garden, 
awaiting  the  Sheils'  arrival ;  they  at  length  appeared,  not,  however,  to 
remain  the  night,  and  we  sat  down  to  an  excellently-served  dinner. 
O'Hanlon  was  evidently  conscious  of  his  past  rudeness,  the  sense  of 
which  seemed  to  sit  heavy  on  him  the  whole  day ;  which  was,  generally 
speaking,  spent  cheerfully  and  pleasantly.  Sheil  invited  us  to  dine  on 
Thursday  and  accompany  them  to  Dr.  Lardner's ;  we  accepted  his 
invitation.     No  prayers ! 

June  15th. — The  newspapers  arrived ;  in  one,  the  Spectator,  I  again 
read  a  pert  and  vulgar  tirade  against  the  actor's  art,  which  this 
refined  critic  asserts  must  still  be  considered  the  "vagabond's  trade." 
Wrote  to  Bunn  for  boxes  at  the  theatre  and  opera,  and  to  sound  him 
on  the  subject  of  the  drama.  Played — idled  away  the  day  with  my 
children ;  going  into  the  hayfield,  was  discontented  with  the  appear- 
ance of  the  crops,  from  which  I  thought  O'Mery,  my  harvest-man, 
had  been  filching  for  his  own  fields.  If  I  do  him  wrong  I  shall  be 
sincerely  sorry,  but  it  looks  very  ill. 

June  16th. — Went  into  the  garden  and  hayfield  with  my  children, 

234 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

and  played  with  them  before  and  after  dinner.  In  the  evening  sat 
in  my  study  ruminating  upon  the  possible  consequence  of  my  dining 
to-morrow  with  the  Literary  Fund — viz.  that  I  may  have  to  make  a 
speech — and  meditating  on  my  own  inability  to  collect,  arrange,  and 
give  utterance  to  my  ideas.  I  ought  to  cure  this  very  bad  habit  of 
hesitation,  and  for  my  children's  sake  apply  myself  to  a  more  rapid 
and  precise  delivery  of  my  thoughts. 

London,  June  llth. — Thought  upon  what  I  ought  to  say  at  the 
dinner — and  dressed  for  it — Dr.  Lardner  called  for  me,  and  we  went. 
I  saw  Wyse,^  whom  I  liked  much,  Christie,  French,  Emerson  Tennent.^ 
The  whole  proceedings  of  the  day  were  dull  and  wearisome  with  the 
exception  of  Wilkie's  ^  speech,  in  which  he  noticed  the  connection  of 
literature  and  art ;  and  the  Turkish  Attache,  who  in  acknowledgment 
of  the  compliment  paid  to  him  in  drinking  his  health,  rose  and  gulped 
down  a  bumper  of  wine,  then  sat  down.  Urquhart,*  his  cicerone, 
spoke  very  well,  but  in  a  low  tone  of  voice.  Lord  Teignmouth  spoke 
pretty  well,  and  Murchison  ^  fairly.  On  paying  my  subscription,  Mr. 
Snow  told  me  that  my  name  was  in  the  list  of  toasts.  This  decided 
me.  I  feel  unequal  from  the  want  of  habit,  and  the  uncertainty  of 
my  position.  I  read  in  every  newspaper  of  this  week  that  my  art  is  a 
very  humble  one — if  indeed  it  be  an  art  at  all — and  that  its  professors 
are  entitled  to  little  respect ;  and  here,  when  in  courtesy  I  am  admitted 
as  Mr.  Macready  among  the  esquires  of  the  Royal  Academy,  the  King's 
Printing  Office,  the  Quarterly  RevieWy  etc.,  I  am  to  speak  without 
the  possibility  of  knowing  what  place  is  allowed  me  as  an  artist,  or 
what  degree  of  particular  consideration  may  be  extended  to  me  as  a 
man  consistent  in  his  private  conduct. 

June  18th. — Is  it  twenty  years  since,  in  Greenock,  I  waited  with 
anxiety  the  particular  return  of  the  dead  and  wounded  from  the  Battle 
of  Waterloo — wishing  to  be  certified  of  dear  Edward's  safety  ?     Went 

^  Thomas Wyse  (1791-1862),  afterwards  British  Minister  at  Athens,  K.C-B, ;  a  successful 
diplomatist  in  various  affairs  connected  with  Greece,  especially  the  famous  Don  Pacifico 
incident. 

'  James  Emerson  Tennent  (1804-1869),  author  and  politician  ;  M.P.  1832  ;  supporter  ot 
Lord  Grey,  afterwards  of  Peel,  in  whose  second  Administration  he  was  for  a  time  Secretary 
to  the  Indian  Board  :  created  a  baronet  1867. 

3  David  Wilkie  (i  785-1841),  the  famous  painter  ;  he  was  knighted  in  the  following  year. 

*  David  Urquhart  (1805-1877),  diplomatist  and  political  writer;  notable  when  in  Par- 
liament as  a  bitter  opponent  of  Lord  Palmerston,  who  had  recalled  him  from  Constantinople 
(where  he  was  Secretary  of  Embassy)  in  1836,  owing  to  his  hostile  attitude  to  Russia, 

*•  Roderick  Impey  Murchison  (1792-1871),  the  distinguished  geologist  ;  afterwards  K.C.B. 
and  baronet. 

^3S 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

to  Shell's.  Wallace  dined  there.  Catherine  and  Lydia  arrived  from 
Elstree.  The  Shells  are  good-natured,  but  there  is  pride  somewhere 
among  them.  Catherine  and  Lydia  do  not  perceive  it,  but  there  is 
an  instinctive  quickness  of  feeling  this  myself  that,  like  a  torn  skin, 
quivers  at  the  slightest  touch  of  what  offends  it.  Had  I  married  (as 
I  might)  a  fortune,  should  I  have  yielded  to  this  weakness  of  an 
amhitieux  ?  I  think  it  is  more  than  probable ;  men  are  to  all  appear- 
ance as  happy  with  much  substantial  good  to  hug  themselves  in.  I 
have  my  disappointments,  but  resulting  from  my  own  temperament. 
Went  on  the  box  of  Shell's  carriage  to  Dr.  Lardner's,  where  I  saw 
and  was  introduced  to  the  Gulccloli  ^ — saw  Mrs.  Norton,  Mrs.  L.  Stan- 
hope, etc.     Was  surprised  to  see  Mr.  Cooper,  Miss  Betts,  and  Miss 

enter   the   room.      Oh,   Dr.    Lardner !      Is  this   society   for   a 

philosopher  ? 

June  19th. — Saw  Mallbran  in  Fidelio ;  the  dulness  of  the  opera  was 
really  wearisome ;  it  was,  with  the  exception  of  this  gifted  creature's 
performance,  miserably  done ;  and  even  she  was  not  in  her  own  element 
— the  part  seemed  a  weight  upon  her  that  she  energetically  but  vainly 
struggled  with.  The  scena  at  the  end  of  the  second  act  was  superior 
to  Schroder-Devrient's,  but  in  all  besides  she  was  inferior — straining 
at  effect,  melodramatic,  elaborate,  but  not  abandoned ;  her  resolution 
was  strong,  but  her  identity  never  seemed  for  a  moment  lost.  Her 
costume  was  admirable — will  our  actors  never  learn? — Never,  I  went 
into  her  room  after  the  opera — there  were  several  persons,  Mr.  Cooper 
among  them.  She  saluted  me  most  affectionately,  and,  perhaps,  to 
her  I  was  what  she  was  to  me — a  memorial  of  years  of  careless,  joyous 
hope  and  excitement ;  she  said  I  was  not  altered ;  I  could  not  say  what 
I  did  not  think  of  her.  I  could  have  loved — once  almost  did  love  her, 
and  I  believe  she  was  not  indifferent  to  me.  It  often  occurs  to  me  on 
such  recollections  :  how  would  my  destiny  have  been  altered !  I  should 
have  possibly  been  ^n  ambitieux — should  I  have  been  happier  ? — should 
I  have  had  my  Nina,  my  Willie  and  little  Catherine?  Left  Mallbran 
with  a  very  great  depression  of  spirits. 

June  21st. — Read  Examinery  pleased  with  the  clear  views  taken  by 
Fonblanque,  and  disgusted  with  the  paltering  conduct  of  these  Whigs 
— can  there  be  a  baser  political  character  than  an  aristocrat  timidly 

*  The  comtessa  of  that  name,  who  had  become  a  celebrity  owing  to  her  much-discussed 
relations  with  Lord  Byron,  of  which  her  second  husband  was  so  proud  that  he  used  to 
introduce  her  as  "  Madame  la  Marquise  de  Boissy,  autrefois  la  ma!tresse  de  Milord 
Byron." 

236 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

professing  just  and  liberal  principles  of  government  for  the  sake  of 
place  ?     Such  is  a  Whig  ! 

June  30th. — Cut  the  leaves  of  Procter's  Life  of  Kean,  and  con- 
signed the  volumes  to  the  store-room  shelves.  I  have  made  some 
remarks  which  savour  of  anger ;  on  reviewing  them,  and  comparing 
them  with  his  conduct,  there  appears  to  me  no  reason  for  qualifying 
them.  My  first  acquaintance  with  him  was  of  his  own  seeking — he 
sent  me  his  Dramatic  Scenes,  which  I  greatly  liked,  and  like ;  and 
thence  grew  acquaintance,  which  soon  ripened  into  intimacy.  We  were 
very  much  together,  and  as  I  believed — a  belief  that  it  was  pain  to  me 
to  part  with — we  were  really  friends.  He  brought  his  poetry  to  me  as 
he  wrote  it,  and  fancied  it  more  as  I  read  it ;  he  wrote  sonnets  on  my 
performances  of  Rob  Roy  and  Coriolanus,  and  held  me  (it  is  long 
since)  only  not  before  the  best.  I  felt  towards  him  fervidly  and 
affectionately.  He  was  the  person  to  whom  I  rushed  in  a  state  of 
excitement  that  approached  to  intoxication  with  the  news  of  Virginius, 
after  I  first  read  it.  He  was  ambitious  of  writing  a  play.  He  chose 
for  his  subject  Don  Carlos — or  Parisina — began  a  scene  at  random  in 
the  second  act — it  was  very  good ;  there  he  stuck.  He  wrote  another 
— the  opening  scene  ;  he  then  began  to  consult  me  ;  he  wrote  the  second 
scene  of  the  first  act ;  he  stood  still — the  second  act  was  nearly  com- 
pleted, and  he  could  not  move — "I  must  write  him  down  a  plot."  I 
did,  and  consulted  Sheil,  who  had  been  staying  with  me  many  weeks 
on  a  visit,  upon  its  fitness ;  he  said  he  could  not  mend  it,  hedged  in,  as 
the  fabricator  must  be,  between  the  beginning  already  made  and  the 
necessary  catastrophe.  Procter  did  not  altogether  like  it,  nor  did  I, 
but  gave  it  as  the  best  his  predicament  admitted.  He  wished  Sheil 
to  be  again  consulted,  who  very  peremptorily  returned  as  his  opinion 
that  under  the  peculiar  circumstances  no  better  plan  could  be  sug- 
gested. He  went  to  work  again,  and  brought  the  scenes  piecemeal 
to  me — altering  them,  three  or  four  times  individually  to  the  passion 
I  acted  over  before  him — I  may  really  aver  he  almost  wrote  the  play 
of  Mirandola  under  my  inspection ;  he  has  been  with  me  from  ten  till 
five  o'clock,  when  I  have  sent  him  away,  having  to  dress  for  dinner. 
It  was  I  who  urged  Warren  to  give  him  £300  for  the  copyright. 
Unusual  pains  were  taken  with  it,  and  it  was  bolstered  by  the  zeal  of 
his  friends  into  a  sudden,  temporary  reputation.  His  preface  spoke  in 
a  very  cool  manner  of  my  performance,  and  acknowledged  an  obligation 
to  me  for  suggesting  a  curtailment  in  one  of  the  acts  !  He  came, 
manifestly  afraid  and  ashamed  to  see  me;  he  "  hoped  I  was  satisfied." 


THE   DIARIES   01    MACREADY  [1835 

I  said  '*  I  was  not — tliat  I  could  have  been  well  satisfied  had  he  given 
me  credit  for  sufficient  high-mindedness  to  have  rested  content  in  the 
satisfaction  of  serving  him,  but  to  acquit  himself  of  my  services  in  such 
a  manner  was  anything  but  satisfactory."  He  said  that  this  was  '*  a 
greater  annoyance  to  him  than  anything  that  had  happened — that  he 
had  been  told  he  ought  to  dedicate  the  play  to  an  old  friend  of  his, 
but  that  he  had  said,  *  If  I  inscribe  it  to  any  one,  it  must  be  to 
Macready.'  "  I  explained  to  him  that  such  a  compliment  at  that  time, 
so  far  from  being  desirable,  would  have  been  injurious  to  me.  Well, 
time  rolled  on  and  took  Procter  with  it.  I  did  not  alter  my  demeanour 
to  him,  for  I  do  not  easily  wrench  kindly  feelings  from  my  heart.  He 
sat  silent  and  heard  my  character  attacked,  till  a  friend  of  mine  in 
indignation  said  to  him,  "  Have  you  not  a  word  to  speak  for  your 
friend?"  He  was  silent.  I  believe  the  Rev.  Mr.  Harness^  was 
among  my  slanderers  at  the  time.  Procter  was  so  full  of  spleen  against 
J.  H.  Reynolds  for  not  quoting  passages  from  a  book  of  his  (P.'s) 
which  he  reviewed,  that  he  declared,  with  the  most  energetic  malevo- 
lence, that  he  would  take  an  opportunity  of  punishing  Reynolds  when 
any  book  of  his  came  out.  Forster  showed  me  a  note,  wherein  Procter 
manifestly  ascribes  (disclaiming  all  the  time  any  such  intention)  the 
authorship  of  a  hostile  critique  on  Keari's  Life  in  the  Observer  to  him, 
Forster !  His  flippant  and  contemptuous  toleration  of  players  in  his 
book  is  in  keeping  with  his  indifference  to  those  he  has  made  all  possible 
use  of.^ 

July  Isf . — Called  on  Forster,  who  told  a  lamentable  tale  of  Procter's 
littleness  and  excessive  soreness,  which  made  me  feel  less  sorrow  for 
the  violence  of  Blackwood's  review  of  his  book. 

July  5th. — Went  to  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  dined,  saw  the 
newspapers,  and  looked  into  some  books.  Forster  and  Price  came  in. 
Forster  asked  me  to  accompany  him  to  Talfourd's,  to  which  I  agreed. 
We  spent  the  evening  there.  Talfourd  took  me  into  the  other  drawing- 
room,  and,  talking  over  Ion,  expressed  his  firm  resolve  that  no  one 

*  The  Rev.  William  Harness  (1790-1869),  well  known  as  a  friend  of  Byron,  whose 
school-fellow  he  was  at  Harrow.  He  attained  some  eminence  as  a  preacher  and  was  the 
author  of  various  works,  including  an  edition  and  "Life"  of  Shakspeare,  and  the  Life  of 
Mary  Russell  Mitford,  published  after  his  death.  Macready,  who  had  had  a  difference  with 
Miss  Mitford  relative  to  a  play  of  hers,  suspected  Harness  of  having  attacked  him  in  her 
interests  by  means  of  an  anonymous  article  in  Blackwood,  The  matter  is  gone  into  more 
fully  in  a  later  portion  of  the  Diaries, 

■  Over  the  foregoing  entry  Macready  wrote  the  following  comment  presumably,  at  a  later 
period ;  "  True  ;  I  cannot  in  justice  cancel  this— though  I  really  love  Procter." 

238 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

should  act  the  character  but  myself.     I  shall  therefore  address  myself 
to  it.     Talfourd  walked  home  part  of  the  way  with  Forster  and  myself. 

Elstree,  July  6th. — Read  the  Examiner.  Every  newspaper  now 
gives  its  record  of  Mathews's  ^  death,  and  all  write  in  celebrating  his 
powers  of  entertainment  and  his  private  virtues.  I  may  seem  envious 
in  noting  down  my  own  exceptions  to  this  cant  of  praise ;  the  papers 
certainly  do  not  speak  from  knowledge — "I  am  to  speak  what  I  do 
know."  His  talents  for  mimicry  were  most  extraordinary,  and,  though 
a  very  indifferent  actor  of  the  comic  drama,  his  personations  of  the 
characters  imagined  for  and  by  himself  were  admirable  and  inimitable. 
He  was  amusing  for  a  short  time  as  a  companion,  few  persons  more 
so,  but  as  he  merely  unpacked  his  memory  of  his  anecdotes  and  imita- 
tions, when  the  best  samples  were  delivered  he  grew  tiresome  in  offering 
the  same  goods  and  requiring,  not  always  agreeably,  th-e  same  price 
of  attention  and  applause.  Of  his  "high  and  honourable  character," 
he  was,  generally  speaking,  respectable  in  life — he  was  not  so  dis- 
honourable as  C.  Kemble,  nor  so  penurious  as  Liston,  but  he  was  not 
a  high-souled  man,  nor  what  I  distinguish  as  a  gentleman. 

July  12th. — Letters  from  Morris,  wishing  to  negotiate  for  the 
Haymarket,  and  from  W.  Birch.  The  latter  imparts  to  me  the  signifi- 
cant tidings  that  the  reviews  in  the  Quarterly  on  Procter's  book  and 
Miss  Kemble's  are  written  by  an  ^'^  enemy  of  mine."  It  is  sufficiently 
intelligible  that  I  am  abused.  This  is  not  agreeable — simply,  as  I 
believe  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  because  it  may  by  possibility  bear 
upon  my  income.  Whether  it  be  written  by  Mr.  Harness,  Mr.  Lock- 
hart  or  Mr.  Croker,  Maginn  ^  or  T.  Hook,  in  point  of  feeling  it  does 
not  reach  me — it  is  the  apprehension  I  endure  for  my  power  of  educating 
and  providing  for  my  children  that  makes  me  at  all  attach  importance 
to  it.  I  feel  myself  in  intention  and  duty  to  my  fellow-men  far  above 
such  persons,  who  gain  their  livelihood  and  draw  their  gratifications 
from  the  imagined  triumphs  of  their  envious  and  malignant  nature ; 
the  contest,  if  such  it  can  be  called  where  the  attack  is  all  on  one  side 
and  from  ambuscade,  too,  is  not  a  very  chivalrous  one.  But  I  can 
truly  say,  "  I  am  richer  than  my  base  accusers  "  in  all  that  man  is 
justified  in  valuing.  The  yearning  of  my  heart  is  for  tranquil  inde- 
pendence, to  form  the  minds  of  my  beloved  children,  and  learn  the 
lesson  to  die  well  in  teaching  them  to  live  so.  Did  the  fiendish  host 
whose  name  was  legion,  not  being  destined  to  drown,  survive  their  leap 

*  The  elder  Mathews. 

^  William  Maginn  (1793-1842),  the  well-known  journalist,  founder  oi  Fraser's  Magazine. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

and  transmigrate  through  the  bodies  of  certain  reviewers,  Antoine 
Pasquin,  Dr.  Wolcot,^  J,  W.  Croker,  J.  G.  Lockhart,  W.  Harness, 
etc.,  etc.,  etc.,  in  after  ages,  that  spirits  so  out  of  harmony  with  the 
beauty  and  benevolence  of  the  Creator's  works  should  be  of  those  ? 
Walked  with  Dow  down  to  the  reservoir :  he  spoke  of  the  hostility  of 
the  Press  to  me.  My  children  are  the  stimulants  I  bring  to  my  mind 
to  counteract  my  despondency. 

July  IMh. — Looked  at  the  Quarterly  Review  and  found  that  the 
passages  from  which  W.  Birch  inferred  hostility  to  myself  were  two 
separate  declarations  that  Mr.  C.  Kemble  was  the  best  actor  now 
living.  As  this  only  proves  the  ignorance  of  Messrs.  Croker  and 
Lockhart,  the  profound  Aristarchi  of  the  Quarterly,  it  in  no  manner 
annoyed  me. 

London,  July  15th. — Went  to  Mrs.  C.  Buller's,  where  I  saw  Mrs. 
Austin,  who  does  not  like  me — I  feel  it — tant  pis  pour  moi — talked  a 
little  with  her,  a  good  deal  with  M.  C.  BuUer,^  saw  O'Connell ; 
talked  the  remainder  of  the  night  with  Fonblanque — the  rooms  are 
exceedingly  pretty,  but  the  attendance  was  thin :  H.  Bulwer,^  Lord 
Devon,  Elphinstone,  Count  Morel.  Fonblanque  came  away  with 
me.  Count  Morel  and  his  friend  had  taken  my  coach  and  were  for 
retaining  it,  but  I  very  good-naturedly  made  them  understand  their 
mistake  and  offered  to  set  them  down,  which  offer  they  accepted. 
Fonblanque  told  me  of  the  King's  rudeness  to  Lord  Durham  ;  he  seems 
a  very  disgusting  old  man.  Instead  of  returning  home  after  parting 
with  Fonblanque  (who  wished  to  see  me  when  I  came  again  to  town), 
I  drove  to  the  Garrick  Club.  On  entering,  Talfourd  and  Price  uttered 
joyous  exclamations,  and  I  shook  them  both  cordially  by  the  hand ; 
a  person  with  his  back  to  the  room  at  their  table,  turning  round, 
displayed  the  face  of  Mr.  C.  Kemble,  and,  to  my  great  surprise,  said, 
"  Come  !  "  and  took  hold  of  my  hand,  which  I  instantly  withdrew ; 
he  said,  "What,  you  won't  shake  hands  with  me?  " — which  I  believe 
he  repeated.  He  was  drunk,  or  nearly  so.  I  am  not  quite  clear  how 
I  should  have  behaved.     I  do  not  mean  as  to  whether  I  should  have 

*  John  Wolcot  (1 738-1819),  the  notorious  satirist  who  wrote  under  the  pseudonym  of 
•'  Peter  Pindar." 

•  Charles  Buller  {1806-1848),  M.P,  for  Liskeard  ;  best  known  as  secretary  to  Lord 
Durham,  when  Governor-General  of  Canada,  in  which  capacity  he  displayed  statesmanlike 
qualities  of  a  high  order.  He  and  his  brother  Arthur  (afterwards  a  Ceylon  Judge)  were 
pupils  of  Thomas  Carlyle. 

"  William  Henry  Lytton  Earle  Bulwer  (1801-1872),  the  distinguished  diplomatist,  created 
Lord  Bailing  and  Bulwer  1871  ;  elder  brother  of  the  first  Lord  Lytton. 
240 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

accepted  his  offer  of  reconciliation — for  really  to  do  that  would  be 
tantamount  to  making  alliance  with  fraud,  treachery,  falsehood,  the 
meanest  and  most  malignant  species  of  intrigue :  in  fact,  with  vileness 
and  profligacy  of  the  most  barefaced  character — but  whether  I  should 
have  resented  the  liberty  he  took.  I  felt  no  anger ;  but  really  it  was 
a  gross  impertinence.  Talked  with  Talfourd,  who  was  tipsy,  which 
perhaps  accounts  for  and  excuses  his  indefensible  account  of  the  trial 
of  the  Griswold  cause  and  the  blame  he  threw  upon  Smith  for  his 
honest  and  zealous  endeavour  to  gain  the  cause  for  the  officer.  Tal- 
fourd quite  forgot  himself.  At  chambers  I  ruminated  much  on  the 
strange  occurrence  of  the  evening  and  thought  of  writing  a  note  to 
Kemble  on  the  freedom  he  had  used.  I  wrote  and  thought,  thought 
and  wrote,  and  went  very  late  to  bed. 

Elstree,  July  18th. — I  wish  I  were  anything  rather  than  an  actor — 
except  a  critic ;  let  me  be  unhappy  rather  than  vile !  If  I  meant  by 
this  that  men  who  usually  criticize  are  vile  I  should  convict  myself  of 
equal  folly  and  injustice.  It  is  the  assumption  of  the  high  duties  of 
criticism  (demanding  genius  and  enthusiasm  tempered  by  the  most 
exact  judgment  and  refined  taste)  by  mere  dealers  in  words,  with  no 
pretensions  to  integrity  of  purpose  or  the  advancement  of  literature, 
that  disgusts  and  depresses  me.  The  sight  of  the  Quarterly  Review — 
the  arena  of  Croker,  Lockhart,  Harness,  Hall,  etc. — which  H.  Smith 
has  sent  me,  induced  a  train  of  thought  upon  the  (so-called)  criticism 
of  the  country.  Generally  speaking  it  takes  its  tone  from  faction. 
The  most  profound  ignorance  is  no  obstruction  to  the  most  dogmatic 
assertions — these  are  made,  of  course,  on  points  that  few  persons  are 
interested  in  contradicting,  or  in  seeing  contradicted,  therefore  they 
remain  as  texts  for  the  declaimers  from  the  particular  Review  to  preach 
from.  It  is  really  my  opinion  that  in  the  classification  of  minds  such 
a  one  as  Lockhart's — hireling,  defamer,  corrupt  (not  by  direct  means 
of  pecuniary  bribe,  but  by  party  and  power),  malignant  trader  in  sen- 
tences pointed  to  stab,  and  draw  by  slow  droppings  the  life-blood  of  a 
man's  heart — is  of  the  base  the  basest. 

July  19th. — Sometimes  the  poignancy  of  my  reflections  on  the 
little  I  have  done  and  the  little  I  now  can  do  is  quite  distressing.  My 
only  hope  is  to  make  the  minds  of  my  blessed  children  rich  in  those 
good  qualities  of  which  I  lament  tlie  deficiency.  Was  much  struck 
with  the  prayer  of  Plato,  quoted  in  the  notes  to  Milton.  Delighted 
with  the  morning  thanksgiving  and  prayer  of  Adam  and  Eve,  which  is 
quite  touching  in  its  fervour  and  beauty.  AVent  to  afternoon  church. 
VOL  I.  R  241 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

Read  the  last  book  of  the  Excursion.  It  is  difficult  for  me  to  express 
the  grateful  and  reverential  feelings  with  which  I  think  of  its  author. 
Milton  elevates,  thrills,  awes,  and  delights  me — but  Wordsworth, 
"  alluring  to  higher  worlds  "  by  their  types  on  earth,  kindles  anew 
my  expiring  fervour,  strengthens  my  hope,  and  reconciles  me  to  myself. 
He  comforts  me ;  he  makes  me  anxious  to  be  virtuous,  and  strengthens 
my  resolution  to  try  to  be  so. 

Juljf  ^Oth. — Made  very  indifferent  progress  with  my  professional 
study — the  ease  and  dignified  familiarity,  the  apparent  levity  of 
manner,  with  the  deep  purpose  that  lies  beneath,  which  should  be 
marked  distinctly  in  the  representation  of  Hamlet — are  so  difficult  of 
execution  that  I  almost  despair  of  moderately  satisfying  myself.  I  cannot 
congratulate  myself  on  having  reduced  the  difficulty  by  my  efforts  to-day. 

July  22nd. — Laboured  not  successfully  at  Hamlet.  I  would  gladly 
have  discontinued  my  task,  but  my  little  ones  pull  at  my  coat — God 
bless  them ! — and  I  cannot  bear  to  add  to  my  causes  of  self-reproach. 
Worked  fairly  for  at  least  two  hours. 

July  24t/i. — Among  the  advertisements  I  observe  Mathews's  pictures, 
etc.,  are  announced  to  be  sold.  I  shall  buy  my  own  picture,  which 
ought  not  to  be  put  up  to  auction.  Perhaps  my  ideas  of  delicacy 
and  the  dues  of  courtesy  between  men  in  the  society  of  gentlemen  are 
too  rigid  and  punctilious ;  it  might  have  been  better  for  myself — in  the 
very  dependent  calling  from  which  my  means  are  derived — if  I  had 
been  more  frequently  disposed  to  let  things  take  their  course.  Among 
all  the  men  whom  through  my  life  I  have  known  how  very  few  high- 
minded  men  I  can  reckon  I     It  is  a  sad  and  humiliating  truth. 

Dublin,  August  Sth. — Went  to  theatre,  and  acted  Werner  with  con- 
siderable care,  and  I  think  with  much  earnestness  and  sometimes  with 
reality ;  occasionally  I  sank  into  my  old  muscular  efforts,  and  was  cut 
out  of  the  most  striking  opportunities  for  effect  in  the  play  by  that 
very  imperfect  actor,  Mr.  Pritchard.  I  was  very  angry,  but  did  not 
allow  my  displeasure  to  interfere  with  the  performance.  I  thought 
that  in  a  general  point  of  view  I  acted  well.  I  wished  to  ask  Miss 
Huddart  whether  I  betrayed  any  deficiency  of  energy,  and  sent  up  to 
request  she  would  speak  with  me  for  a  few  minutes.  She  came  down, 
and  assured  me  that  she  thought  I  acted  well ;  as  I  was  at  tea  she  stayed 
and  drank  tea.     She  spoke  about  Mr.   Calcraft  and  his  liaison  with 

Miss  H n,  observing  upon  the  injury  it  had  done  her.     She  also, 

as  every  one  else  seems  to  have  done,  had  heard  of  Knowles's  intrigue 
with   Miss  Elphinstone,  whom   he   brought  from   America.     This  is 
242 


CHARLES    MATTHEWS 

From  an  eriffraring 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

unfortunate,  for  his  singleness  and  purity  of  heart — or  the  character 
he  had  for  such  a  rare  property — was  one  of  his  great  holds  on  the 
public.     May  I  be  wise !     Amen  ! 

August  10th. — Went  to  the  theatre,  and  acted  Macbeth  in  parts 
very  well,  but  it  was  an  unequal  performance — ^part  of  the  murder 
scene,  part  of  the  banquet  and  the  greater  part  of  the  fifth  act 
were  in  my  best  manner;  but  still  it  wants  study,  polish  and  perfect 
coUectedness.  The  "  to-morrow  "  was  better  than  I  ever  gave  it.  I 
was  quite  exhausted.  Miss  Huddart  called  in  and  sat  late.  This  is 
dangerous  and  ill-advised.  A  woman's  company  is  always  soothing, 
but  it  is  a  perilous  indulgence. 

August  11th. — To  my  surprise  Jerdan  came  into  my  room  with  a 
Colonel  Dick,  of  New  Orleans,  who  brought  me  a  letter  of  introduction 
from  Forster,  which  informed  me  that  Wallace  had  fought  a  duel  with 
Mackintosh  ^ — a  step  I  can  but  too  readily  believe  he  took  to  relieve 
the  irritation  and  pain  of  mind  he  must  lately  have  endured.  At  dinner 
the  conversation  led  to  the  alleged  cause  of  Lord  Byron's  parting  with 
Lady  Byron,  and  some  observations  were  made  which  occasioned  me 
disagreeable  sensations ;  being  evidently  perceived,  it  made  me  quite 
embarrassed,  and  I  did  not  in  consequence  recover  the  tone  of  my  mind 
all  day,  uncomfortable  as  to  the  impression  my  want  of  self-possession 
might  have  caused,  for  which  there  was  no  actual  reason.  In  the 
same  way  I  always  became  embarrassed  and  confused  before  I  had 
children,  when  the  want  of  them  was  alluded  to.  I  am  very  weak  in 
this  respect. 

August  ISth. — Jerdan  called,  and  sat  some  time ;  agreed  to  go  with 
Birch  and  self  to  Wicklow  on  Sunday ;  mentioned  the  scandal  of  Lady 
Mulgrave  having  broken  open  the  desk  of  her  lord,  and  sent  Mrs. 
Norton's  letters  to  Mr.  Norton  I  There!  Went  to  the  theatre,  and 
acted  Hamlet  to  an  audience  extremely  difficult  to  provoke  to  applause. 
I  thought  that  I  must  have  lacked  spirit  and  earnestness  in  the  first 
act,  at  which  I  was  vexed,  and  took  all  the  pains  I  could  with  the 
remainder  of  the  play,  but  I  acted  under  a  sense  of  effort  and  a  sup- 
position of  deficient  sympathy  in  the  auditors.  The  best  passages  in 
my  mind  were  the  affected  madness  with  Ophelia,  and  the  closet  scene. 
I  must  not  give  it  up.  I  must  also  study  my  appearance  as  well  as  my 
acting  in  it. 

August  15th. — W.  Birch  came  to  breakfast,  and  accompanied  me 
to  Dr.  Lardner's,  where  some  friends  called  for  him  in  a  car,  and  I 

^  Not  Sir  James  Mackintosh  who  died  in  1832. 
R2  243 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

accepted  their  offer  of  a  seat,  W.  Birch  making  his  own  way.  I  would 
not  have  wished  it  so,  but  there  was  no  remedy.  The  lady  with  whom 
I  sat  was  very  agreeable ;  we  arrived  at  the  Pigeon  House  and  received 
much  attention  from  some  artillery  officers  who  knew  Lardner  by 
reputation,  at  least  apparently.  Sir  J.  Franklin,^  who  looks  his 
adventures  and  sufferings,  was  on  the  parapet  where  we  stood ;  Sir 
E.  Blakeney  ^  and  others  on  the  pier ;  the  light  was  sufficiently  sub- 
dued to  give  the  colours  of  the  hills  in  full  beauty,  and  yet  clear  enough 
to  mark  with  the  nicest  precision  the  outline  of  the  hills,  the  horizon, 
the  vessels,  etc.  The  various  exercises  of  small  and  great  guns,  mortars 
and  Congreve  rockets  were  gone  through  by  the  artillery  on  the  sands, 
who  performed  their  evolutions  in  the  most  interesting  manner.  I 
returned  with  the  same  party,  and  entering  with  Dr.  Lardner  the 
private  garden  gate  of  the  College,  was  introduced  to  Dr.  Sandys,  and 
got  the  benefit  of  a  clothes-brush  at  Lardner 's  room.  At  the  theatre 
I  found  the  stage  still  occupied  by  the  trash  of  Mr.  Power  ^ — a  person 
whose  unblushing  defiance  of  truth,  whose  ignorance,  impertinence 
and  mountebank  effrontery  make  him  as  disgusting  as  it  is  possible 
for  any  creature  with  the  common  claims  of  humanity  to  be.  Rehearsed 
Oakley.  Afterwards  Miss  Huddart  came  to  inquire  about  my  mode 
of  going  to  the  Lodge  to-night,  on  Miss  Tree's  account.  I  instantly 
offered  her  a  seat  in  my  carriage,  observing  that  I  did  not  volunteer  it, 
as  I  was  uncertain  how  far  it  might  be  acceptable,  but  that  I  had  pur- 
posed doing  so  at  night.  She  accepted  it.  Colonel  D'Aguilar  called, 
and  in  a  short  but  interesting  conversation  gave  me  a  sketch  of  his 
life,  counselled  me  not  to  let  Edward  purchase  an  "  unattached,"  and 
left  me  with  warm  professions  of  friendship.  Tried  to  read  Oakley. 
Acted  it  indifferently.  I  was  not  prepared.  Tom  Moore  came  in  very 
late,  and  was  greatly  cheered ;  the  gods  would  not  be  satisfied  till 
he  addressed  them,  which  he  did  in  a  very  short  speech.  Jerdan  came 
into  my  room,  and  I  at  his  request  introduced  him  to  Calcraft. 
Dressed  and  called  in  carriage  for  Miss  E.  Tree ;  took  her  and  her 
mother  to  the  Vice-Regal  Lodge.    The  Lord  Lieutenant  *  received  us  ; 

^  Sir  John  Franklin  {1786-1847),  the  celebrated  Arctic  explorer  ;  he  had  already  headed 
three  expeditions,  involving  great  hardships  and  privations. 

2  Sir  Edward   Blakeney   (1778-1868),   a   distinguished    Peninsular  officer,    eventually 
governor  of  Chelsea  Hospital  and  a  field-marshal. 

^  Tyrone  Power  (1797-1841),  an  Irish  comedian  of  some  note  ;  was  lost  in  the  President 
on  a  return  voyage  from  the  United  States. 

*  The  second  Earl  of  Mulgrave,  afterwards  first  Marquis  of  Normanby  (1794-1863).    He 
succeeded  the  Earl  of  Haddington  on  the  fall  of  Sir  Robert  Peel's  Government.     Held 
various  offices  under  Whig  Administrations  at  home  and  abroad. 
244 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

supper  had  been  served;  I  sat  by  Mrs.  Williams,  opposite  Major 
Forster;  party  of  from  twenty-four  to  thirty.  T.  Moore,  Wilkie, 
I.ady  Campbell,^  (Lord  E.  Fitzgerald's  daughter)  were  there,  and 
Mrs.  Forster,  a  piquante  woman  whom  I  had  met  at  D'Aguilar's. 
Moore  sang  charmingly.  I  heard  that  Mrs.  Butler  ^  had  returned  to 
this  country ! ! !     Am  not  quite  at  ease  in  these  parties. 

August  16th. — To  Christ  Church,  where  I  was  taken  to  the  organ 
gallery — a  most  unenviable  post  of  distinction — and  was  gratified  with 
the  Te  Demn,  Jubilate  and  anthem  (Haydn). 

August  l'7th. — Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  tried  all  I  could  and 
all  in  vain  to  act  Virginius  well  to  the  Lord  Lieutenant,  who  commanded 
the  play.  The  house  was  very  brilliant,  and  I  did  all  I  could,  which 
produced  little  effect.    Lord  Mulgrave  was  the  great  actor  of  the  night. 

August  ISth. — Lardner  called ;  was  to  dine  with  Lady  Cloncurry. 
This  was  the  result  of  his  handing  her  to  the  platform  at  his  lecture 
— upon  which  she  said  to  Birch  :  "  She  supposed  she  must  ask  him  to 
dinner!"  This  is  the  world.  Rested  myself,  being  very  tired.  Went 
to  the  theatre,  and  acted  in  a  very  middling  manner  William  Tell  to 
a  very  middling  house  for  my  own  Benefit — it  was  a  bad  and  angry 
performance;  I  was  very  cross  and  petulant.  Most  luckily  I  was  not 
called  for,  which  I  had  much  feared.  Calcraft  informed  me  that  Mr. 
Power,  who  had  given  him  to  understand  that  he  was  to  dine  to-day 
with  the  Lord  Lieutenant,  dined  with  Sheridan  and  Captain  Williams 
in  Sheridan's  room.  Lofty,  Brazen,  Bobabil  and  Bessus  would  be 
ingredients  only  in  Mr.  Power's  character  I 

Elstree,  August  SSlnd. — Read  and  slept  on  until  nearing  Brickhill, 
when  my  attention  was  attracted  and  distracted  from  my  book  by  a 
very  pretty  demoiselle,  who  was  very  communicative  on  all  points  : 
giving  me  her  name,  occupation,  residence,  etc.  It  would  be  much 
better  that  I  should  endeavour  to  turn  my  time  to  my  mind's  profit 
as  I  might  do,  instead  of  trifling  it  away  in  idle  and  not  altogether 
harmless  frivolity.  Arrived  at  home  to  find  all  my  dear  family  well, 
for  which  I  truly  thank  God. 

August  23rd. — Letters  from  Forster,  informing  me  that  Mathews's 
pictures  had  been  bought  by  Mr.  Durrant  for  the  Garrick  Club.  In 
the  evening  began  Wordsworth's  last  volume  of  poetry,  which,  as  far 
as  I  have  read,  offers  nothing  comparable  to  his  former  works ;  if  his 
reputation  were  built  upon  what  I  have  read  it  would  scarcely  rise 
above  a  very  low  level  indeed. 

*  Her  mother  was  the  mysterious  "  Pamela."  *  Fanny  Kemble. 

245 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

To  London,  August  9,9th. — Dined,  and  read  that  unprincipled 
newspaper  the  Times — a  disgrace  to  the  moral  feeling  and  the  intelli- 
gence of  the  age  I  Saw  Stanfield  and  Durrant.  Mr.  C.  Kemble  walked 
in  and  walked  out  again.  Looked  at  some  of  the  pictures  of  Mathews's 
collection  purchased  by  the  Garrick  Club.  Wrote  a  note  to  H.  Smith. 
Received  a  volume  of  poems  (qu.)  from  Mr.  Wade.^  Returned  home 
by  Bryant ;  read  Wordsworth ;  read  some  good  lines,  but  am  sorry  to 
say  that  the  idea  of  twaddle  obtrudes  itself  in  working  through  some 
of  the  poems. 

Elstreey  August  21st. — Made  out  the  draught  of  my  engagement 
with  Mr.  Bunn  upon  the  terms  agreed  on  between  us,  and  the  list  of 
plays  accompanying  it,  in  order  that  I  might  not  be  taken  by  surprise. 
Read  some  short  poems — Voluntaries  of  Evening — by  Wordsworth, 
which  are  not  of  a  high  order ;  they  are  often  obscure,  pointless  and 
often  prosaic ;  there  are  good  lines  in  them,  but  that  is  their  chief 
praise ;  they  smack  of  senility.  Mrs.  Hemans's  sonnet  on  her  last 
Sabbath  day  is  worth  all  of  them. 

September  2nd. — Finished  the  sixth  book  of  Milton,  and  went  over 
the  third  act  of  Macbeth.  My  object  is  to  increase  the  power  and 
vigour  of  my  performance,  and  to  subdue  all  tendency  to  exaggeration 
of  gesture,  expression  and  deportment,  to  make  more  simple,  more 
chaste  and  yet  more  forcible  and  real  the  passions  and  characters  I 
have  to  portray.  After  dinner  indulged  in  rioting  and  disciplining 
in  sport  my  children ;  for  thus  I  make  them  companions  to  myself, 
and  teach  them  to  "know  as  a  friend,"  while  I  can  gently  check  any 
disposition  to  wrong  which  may  appear  in  them.  Then  sat  down  to 
read  over  attentively,  and  endeavour  to  reduce  into  an  acting  form 
and  dimensions,  Talfourd's  sweet  tragic  poem  of  Ion,  which  I  accom- 
plished, though  it  occupied  more  time  than  I  anticipated.  I  expect  to 
find  him  refractory  on  some  points — and  where  some  of  the  most 
poetical  passages  are  omitted,  it  is  diflRcult  to  persuade  an  author 
that  the  effect  of  the  whole  is  improved ;  but  imagery  and  sentiment 
will  not  supply  the  place  of  action.  Forster — it  occurs  now  to  me 
— objects  to  the  player's  art,  because  it  can  employ  its  powers  as 
successfully  on  mean,  as  on  sublime,  writing — it  is  not  so  to  the 
ear  and  eye  of  taste ;  but  were  it  so,  in  what  does  it  suffer  by 
comparison  with  music,  the  noblest  strains  of  which  are  often  wasted 
on  the  poorest  language — or  with  painting,  which  gains  a  price  as 
well   for  a  pissevache  as  a  Salvator   Mundi  I      Read   on   in   Words- 

^  Thomas  Wade  (1805-1875),  poet  and  journalist ;  edited  Be/rs  Weekly  Messenger. 
24.6 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

worth's  volume,  wherein  I  find  nothing  to  reward  my  time  and 
attention. 

September  Mh. — Read  in  Milton  the  expedition  of  the  Messiah 
into  Chaos  to  create  the  world.  It  moves  one's  wonder  and  excites  a 
smile  to  hear  that  Wordsworth  ^  can  think  himself  fit  to  be  named 
with  Milton — with  Milton !  !  ! — to  whose  sublime  conceptions  we 
stretch  our  thoughts,  and  whose  melodious  lines  we  chime  over  in  our 
musings  like  favourite  tunes.  I  read  some  trash  of  Gibber's,  and 
some  passages  of  the  Careless  Husband,  in  which  I  could  not  discover 
the  merit  that  extorts  praise  from  Pope.  Reduced  still  further  and, 
I  think,  to  the  last  point  the  tragedy  of  Ion,  and  marked  it  with 
ink  for  reference  and  use.  Read  Madame  de  Stael's  preface  to 
L'Allemagne.  Could  any  one  call  a  man  of  such  little  actions  as 
Napoleon  was  guilty  of  a  great  man  ?  Psha !  Looked  through  a  very 
stupid  play  of  Goldoni's — La  Dama  Prudente — horribly  dull. 

September  6th. — Read  the  Examiner  with  much  anxiety  to  know 
the  fate  of  the  Corporation  Bill ;  it  is  yielded  by  the  House  of 
Commons.  How  difficult  it  is  to  subdue  the  impatience  which  would 
work  itself  into  vehement  expression  on  the  monstrous  spectacle  which 
European  governments  generally  present,  viz.  the  many  oppressed, 
defrauded  and  brutalized  by  the  few !  How  long  is  the  general  ignor- 
ance of  man  to  make  him  the  slave  of  these  stupid  aristocrats  and  these 
priests,  whose  lives  are  a  blasphemy  against  the  pure  religion  of  Christ, 
and  a  profanation  of  the  worship  of  the  Eternal  and  Universal  God ! 
Went  to  afternoon  service  with  Letitia ;  thought  how  very  little  the 
sermon — and  sermons  in  general — are  adapted  to  influence  men's  minds, 
and  what  an  instrument  of  good  the  pulpit  might  be  made  if  the  true 
worship  of  God,  in  the  knowledge  of  His  attributes  and  His  creation, 
and  the  adoration  of  Him  through  the  wonder  and  delight  such  a  know- 
ledge would  induce,  were  industriously  inculcated,  instead  of  the 
unmeaning  stuff  which  the  priests  call  doctrine.  Was  again  in  the 
garden  with  the  children.  Finished  the  Examiner,  reading  the  extracts 
from  a  poem  called  Paracelsus  ^ — of  great  merit.    Read  prayers  to  the 

Wordsworth's  high  opinion  of  his  own  poetry  was  notorious,  and  aroused  a  good  deal  of 
ridicule  even  among  his  admirers.     Lamb's  jest  on  the  subject  is  well  known. 

*  Browning's  well-known  poem.  In  her  article  on  Macready,  Lady  Pollock  describes 
his  amazement  at  her  admission  that  she  had  not  read  Paracelsus :  '*  He  lifted  his  eyebrows  ; 
he  muttered  expressions  of  wonder  ;  he  once  or  twice  said,  '  Oh,  good  God  ! '  He  took  a 
turn  or  two  up  and  down  the  room,  and  then  said,  '  I  really  am  quite  at  a  loss  ;  I  cannot 
understand  it.'  I  pleaded  the  claims  of  the  babies,  they  left  me  little  time,  etc.  To  which  he 
replied  :  *  Hand  over  the  babies  to  the  nurse,  and  read  Paracelsus.'  " — {Macready  as  I  knew 
Him,  by  Juliet  Lady  Pollock). 

247 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

family.  Why,  if  religious  observances  be  unimportant,  should  the 
attention  to  them  give  me,  who  disapprove  of  the  unapostohc,  unsatis- 
fying mode  in  which  they  are  ministered,  such  soothing  and  complacent 
feelings  ? 

September  1th. — Again  took  up  the  volume  of  Wordsworth,  with 
which  I  cannot  deny  I  am  wearied ;  it  is  to  me  sometimes  poor,  even 
to  drivelling ;  lines  and  passages  flash  out  from  its  dulness,  but  not 
in  sufficient  brilliancy  or  number  to  enliven  the  heavy  labour  of  working 
through  the  book.  His  politics  are  in  direct  contradiction  to  the 
general  sentiments  which  he  would  have  supposed  to  be  his  principles, 
and  manifest  an  arrogance  and  selfishness  (pensioned,  or  beplaced  as 
he  is)  that  is  scarcely  less  than  disgusting.  Read  several  of  Shak- 
speare's  sonnets,  which,  quaint  and  quibbling  as  most  of  them  are,  are 
far  more  interesting  than  Wordsworth's  last.  Began  reading  and 
thinking  on  Othello,  which  I  fear  I  shall  not  realize  in  representation 
according  to  my  conception. 

September  Sth. — Had  just  sat  down  to  dinner  when  a  loud  knock 
came,  and,  in  vain  denying  ourselves,  we  heard  Talfourd  and  Forster 
give  their  names.  We  asked  them  to  dine  as  we  were  dining ;  and 
adding  a  little  to  our  table,  we  soon  replaced  ourselves,  though  with 
the  loss  of  dear  Nina  and  Willie,  and  dined.  In  the  evening  we  dis- 
cussed the  whole,  and  read  the  greater  part,  of  Ion.  Talfourd  was 
amusing  in  resisting  several  of  the  proposed  cuttings  as  the  best  in  the 
play,  and  that  it  would  be  better  not  to  act  the  play,  but  he  took  it 
all  in  good  part.  His  account  of  Wordsworth's  silence  about  his  play 
disgusted  me.     They  left  me  a  little  after  ten. 

September  9th. — Practised  part  of  Othello,  to  which  I  do  not  find 
I  yet  give  that  real  pathos  and  terrible  fury  which  belongs  to  the 
character.  Read  over  attentively  the  whole  of  Melantius.^  I  do  not 
much  fancy  it. 

To  London,  September  10th. — Calling  on  Forster  I  saw  a  Mr. 
Mahoney,^  who  writes  in  Fraser  under  the  name  of  "Father  Prout  " ; 
he  was,  I  thought,  almost  churlish  in  his  manners.  Dined  with  Forster 
at  the  club ;  spoke  to  Captain  Williams  about  my  picture,  which  I 
might  as  well  have  let  alone — perhaps  better,  but  they  have  used  it 
very  scurvily.    Saw  Beazley,  Jerdan,  Douglas,  Blood  ;  went  to  the  Hay- 

'  In  the  Bridal. 

*  Francis  Silvester  Mahoney  (1804-1866),  the  brilliant  contributor  to  Fraser  s  Magazine. 
One  of  his  most  ingenious  tours-de-force  was  a  French  version  of  C.  Wolfe's  Burial  of  Sir 
fohn  Moore,  which  purported  to  have  been  written  in  the  previous  century  to  commemorate 
the  death  of  a  French  general  in  some  Indian  campaign. 
248 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

market ;  saw  Beazley's  five-act  piece  (it  is  called  a  comedy)  of  Hints  to 
Husbands,  It  really  has  no  claim  to  criticism — dull  and  commonplace 
sentiment,  impossible  situations,  no  character,  most  laboured  yet  most 
trashy  language,  and  without  exception  very  indifferent  acting.  Is 
this — Mr.  Farren's  and  Mr.  Wade's  acting — like  nature  ?  It  was  very 
wretched,  and  the  audience  particularly  vulgar. 

To  Knareshoroughf  September  13th. — ^Travelled  to  Knaresborough, 
and  conversed  a  good  deal  with  a  man,  rather  agreeable  and  well 
informed.  He  had  been  at  the  (Leeds)  festival,  which  he  spoke  of  as 
quite  a  failure.  The  Duchess  of  Kent  and  Princess  Victoria  were  the 
attraction  at  the  concert  room,  where,  as  in  the  Minster — in  the  house 
of  God — these  servile  idolaters  of  wealth  and  an  empty  name  actually 
cheered  and  applauded  two  human  beings !  A  clever  monarch — but 
where  is  there  such  a  monster  in  nature? — might  soon  enslave  this 
country!  "We  must  look  within  for  that  which  makes  us  slaves!  " 
Truly  said  by  Talfourd. 

September  15th. — Read  the  paper  upon  the  consequence  of  the 
Repeal  of  the  Corn  Laws — it  certainly  contains  some  strong  arguments 
and,  I  think,  generally  speaking,  the  reasoning  is  fair,  but  why  does 
the  writer  keep  out  of  sight  those  causes  in  the  expense  of  the  Govern- 
ment that  aggravate  the  pain  of  the  burden  to  those  who  labour  under 
it,  if  they  do  not  add  very  much  to  the  load  P  Why  have  we  such  an 
expensive  establishment?  Why  are  our  chief  magistrate's  bastards  to 
be  pensioned  and  his  widow  portioned  in  that  disgustingly  profligate 
manner?  Why  is  not  Ireland  pacified,  the  Church  reduced,  the  army 
withdrawn  and  disbanded  ?  Why  are  our  Ministers  to  be  found  in  the 
means  of  giving  expensive  dinners?  What  stuff!  Would  Andrew 
Marvel  have  thought  such  banquets  necessary  to  the  conduct  of  state 
affairs,  if  he  had  been  a  Minister  ?  The  instruments  of  government  are 
overpaid ;  its  creatures  and  pensioned  vermin  ought  to  be  made  to 
disgorge  what  they  have  obtained.  Look  at  the  virtues  and  merits  of 
our  court  and  say,  should  the  people  be  taxed  for  such  worse  than 
nothings  in  the  great  world  of  intellect  and  virtue? 

Elstree,  September  18th. — Laboured  to  get  through  the  volume  of 
Wordsworth,  and  made  some  way,  but  wearied  with  the  cumbrous 
verbiage  and  disgusted  with  the  fulsome  adulation  that  disgrace  it. 
It  is  a  volume  which  I  think  Wordsworth  ought  to  be  ashamed  of. 

September  9,0th. — O'Hanlon's  servant  arrived,  announcing  the 
intended  arrival  of  his  master,  who  very  soon  after  appeared  and 
dined  here.     Our  conversation  in  the  evening  was  varied  and  inter- 

249 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

esting.  He  told  me  of  his  offer  to  give  up  his  situation  on  the  ejection 
of  the  Melbourne  Ministry  and  of  the  former's  confidence  in  his  "  dis- 
cretion "  as  to  what  should  be  withheld  from  the  Peel  party ;  of  his 
offer  to  Peel  to  relinquish  his  office,  and  of  Peel's  Surface-like  mode 
of  address  to  him ;  of  his  application  for  the  place  of  Deputy  Remem- 
brancer, etc.,  and  of  the  kindly  expressions  of  the  Cabinet  to  him; 
of  Sheil's  and  O'Connell's  opposition  to  him,  which  seems  to  me  very 
little,   especially   when   exerted  for  an   insignificant   person  like  Mr. 

Horsley.     He  seemed  to  think  there  was  no  doubt  of  Mrs. being 

Lord  Melbourne's  mistress.  We  talked  of  my  own  prospects  and 
situation,  and  he  frankly  spoke  of  my  personal  unpopularity — which  he 
attributed  to  various  causes.  I  must  endeavour  to  diminish  this  pre- 
judice against  me,  but  it  is  too  late  to  do  much.  Was  very  late. 
Read  a  little  of  Horace  in  bed. 

London,  September  21st. — Bunn  came,  and  the  business  of  my 
plays  and  engagement  was  discussed.  He  said,  *  The  Bridal  was  a  pet 
of  mine.'  I  told  him,  *No;  that  I  wished  to  make  it  a  means  of 
remuneration  without  loading  the  theatre  with  additional  salary,  and 
I  only  regarded  it  as  additional  to  my  income.'  Ion,  he  agreed,  should 
be  read  by  me  to  himself  and  others,  and  that  he  would  then  come  to 
a  judgment  on  its  performance,  without  at  present  pledging  himself 
to  act  it.  Bertulphe  he  had  decided  on  not  hearing  read,  and  I  agreed 
to  write  to  the  author  and  gain  his  consent  to  give  it  to  him.  Miss 
Huddart  he  declined  for  the  present  season,  but,  as  I  believe,  on 
Calcraft's  representation  that  her  terms  were  <£10  to  £12.  If  this 
be  so,  shame  upon  Calcraft !  He  said  Mrs.  Yates  ^  would  do  one  part 
in  the  Bridal,  Ellen  Tree  the  other — Ellen  Tree  also  Lady  Macbeth. 
We  read  over  the  engagement,  making  the  time  of  the  Bridal  Christmas 
instead  of  the  Spring,  signed  and  interchanged  it,  I  speaking  about 
room  and  flesh-stockings.  On  consideration  gave  him  The  Provost  of 
Bruges,  reading  him  one  passage  in  it. 

September  22nd. — A  very  delightful  walk  down  to  the  reservoir 
with  my  children.  Returning  met  a  poor  Dutchman  and  his  little 
daughter,  just  going  to  take  their  scanty  breakfast  on  the  roadside. 
Spoke  to  the  man,  and  could  understand  little  beyond  "nix  monnay." 
Gave  his  little  child  a  trifle,  whose  little  face  sparkled  with  pleasure 
as  she  first  kissed  it,  then  came  and  took  my  hand  to  shake,  then 
Nina's  and  then  Willie's.     The  spontaneous  and  graceful  manner  in 

^  Elizabeth  Yates  (i  799-1860),  wife  of  Frederick  Henry  Yates  (see  note,  p.  75) ;  mostly 
impersonated  Shakspeare's  heroines  in  the  earlier  period  of  her  career.  In  later  years 
associated  with  the  Adelphi  and  the  Lyceum  theatres.  Edmund  Yates,  the  journalist,  was 
her  son. 

250 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

which  her  gratitude  spoke  was  very  touching,  and  put  our  own 
peasantry,  in  the  quality  of  warmth  of  heart,  in  no  very  flattering 
point  of  contrast. 

September  S>Srd. — Walked  in  the  garden ;  after  which  read  Marino 
Faliero,  proposed  to  be  acted  by  Bunn,  and  again  came  to  the  con- 
clusion that  abounding,  as  it  does,  in  beautiful  poetry  and  noble 
sentiment,  it  drags  along  from  want  of  action  and  interest.  Read 
the  Foscari,  which  seems  to  me  capable  of  being  made  much  more 
dramatic — but  still  it  is  not  enough. 

September  25th. — Letter  from  Mr.  Bunn,  assenting  to  my  arrange- 
ment of  the  Provost  of  Bruges,  but  reserving  to  himself  the  power  of 
making  any  alterations  in  my  dispositions !  I  was  at  first  indignant 
with  his  stupid  conceit,  but  soon  composed  myself  to  laugh  at  it  and 
reflect  on  my  earlier  and  more  imprudent  days  when  I  should  have  made 
hostility  more  bitter  by  resenting  his  impertinence. 

September  9Qth. — I  returned  to  Macbeth.  It  is  strange  that  I  do 
not  feel  myself  at  all  satisfied  with  myself :  J  cannot  reach  in  execution 
the  standard  of  my  own  conception.  I  cannot  do  it ;  and  I  am  about  to 
enter  on  the  season  which  will  decide  my  fortune,  with  the  drawback  of 
the  consciousness  of  not  being  able  to  realize  my  own  imaginations. 

September  SOth  (Drury  Lane). — Left  my  dear  home  to  begin  this 
eventful  season,  in  entering  upon  which  I  earnestly  ask  God*s  blessing 
upon  my  efforts,  and  that  I  may  receive  and  deserve  success  by  my 
care  and  industry;  or,  if  it  be  the  Almighty's  will  that  I  should  be 
rebuked  by  ill-fortune,  I  humbly  and  heartily  pray  to  Him  for  strength 
and  wisdom  to  bear  it  well,  and  to  turn  it  to  good.  Went  to  Hay- 
market  and  saw  a  few  scenes  of  the  Steward,  in  which  I  thought  Mr. 
Strickland  quite  as  good  as  Mr.  Farren,  who  very  much  oversteps  the 
modesty  of  nature.     Read  through  Macbeth. 

October  1st. — Went  to  the  theatre,  played  ill  (Macbeth),  I  must 
presume,  because  ineffectively ;  and  yet  I  never  tried  so  much  to  play 
well,  and  never,  never  was  it  of  so  much  importance  to  me  to  play  well. 
The  audience  called  for  me — a  kindness  on  their  part — and  I  went  on, 
but  when  Talfourd,  Forster,  and  Wallace  came  to  my  room,  not  one 
had  a  word  of  comfort  or  congratulation.  What  have  I  omitted  to 
make  this  evening  successful  ?  I  do  not  know,  but  the  bitterness  of  my 
feelings  is  such,  with  the  anticipation  of  the  newspapers  to-morrow, 
that  if  I  had  not  ties  which  bind  me  down  to  this  profession  (and  I 
could  curse  the  hour  that  it  was  suggested  to  me),  I  would  eat  a  crust, 
or  eat  nothing,  rather  than  belong  to  it.     I  scarcely  recollect  when 

251 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

my  feelings  have  been  so  wrought  up  to  a  state  of  agonizing  bitterness 
as  to-night ;  I  feel  ahnost  desperate. 

October  2nd. — I  cannot  remember — it  may  be  because  the  exact 
recollections  of  our  sufferings  cannot  be  preserved  amid  the  multitude 
of  feelings  that  sweep  over  them — but  I  cannot  call  to  mind  more  than 
one  evening  of  my  whole  life  which  brought  to  me  more  acute  distress 
than  yesterday's.  The  stake  of  my  future  life  was  upon  it,  for  speedy 
profit  or,  perhaps,  poverty,  and  it  is  lost !  I  cannot  charge  myself 
with  neglect ;  I  really  applied  to  my  task,  and  bent  my  mind  down  to 
it ;  my  mistake  was  in  not  demanding  an  opening  character,  and 
making  that  one  in  which  I  could  feel  myself  independent  of  the 
humour  of  the  audience  (which  I  do  not  accuse)  or  of  the  strangeness  of 
the  theatre.  I  could  not  touch  any  refreshment ;  I  threw  myself  on 
the  sofa,  and  lay  there  in  a  state  of  mind  that  an  enemy  would  have 
pitied.  In  a  reckless,  hopeless  fever  of  thought  I  went  to  bed,  and 
dropped  asleep  with  my  candle  on  my  pillow  ;  I  awoke  to  see  the  danger, 
which  was  really  very  great.  I  slept  again  for  a  short  time,  and  awoke 
to  pass  most  of  the  remainder  of  the  night  in  an  agony  of  despondent 
fretfulness  and  sad  anticipations.  Arose  very  little  better ;  my  bath 
composed  my  spirits  a  little,  and  the  Times  newspaper,  which,  though 
not  highly  laudatory,  was  not  written  in  an  unkind  spirit,  gave  me  back 
some  portion  of  my  wonted  tranquillity.  The  other  papers  were  very 
cold ;  I  sent  them  with  a  letter  to  my  dear  Catherine. 

October  Srd. — Passed  an  indifferent  night,  though  better  than  the 
preceding,  but  my  mind  was  still  in  a  very  depressed  condition, 
although  I  made  efforts  to  reason  myself  into  serenity.  Looked  at  my 
accounts,  and  thought  of  my  resources  in  the  event  of  *'  this  blow  " 
proving  fatal  to  my  prospects.  Went  to  rehearsal,  where  I  felt  un- 
easy, and  not  collected  on  the  stage  during  the  rehearsal  ol  As  You 
Like  It;  I  returned  to  chambers,  and  went  back  to  finish  the  play. 
Dined  and  saw  the  papers  at  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw  Fladgate, 
Bartley  and  Dunn.  Read  over  the  part  of  Jaques  until  the  time  of 
going  to  the  theatre  arrived.  Acted — I  know  not  how — so  occupied 
was  I  with  the  care  of  my  voice,  and  the  performance,  and  withal  so 
nervous  was  I  that  I  cannot  guess  at  the  real  effect — whether  good 
or  ill — that  I  produced.  Came  home  in  a  light  cab,  and  reached  Elm 
Place — my  blessed  home — about  half-past  eleven.  There  was  all  the 
misery  to  talk  over — and  though  I  was  happier,  I  could  not  be  happy 
in  seeing  the  dejection  of  my  wife,  and  my  sister's  tears.  Looked  at 
my  blessed  children,  and  drew  comfort  and  encouragement  from  their 
dear  sight." 
252 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

Elstree,  October  4£/t. — Again  passed  a  very  wakeful  night,  though 
in  my  own  dear,  dear  home;  ray  thoughts  and  forebodings  will  not 
yield  to  any  power  of  reasoning  or  consolation.  I  fancy  that  the 
deficiency  of  my  performance  was  a  want  of  spirit,  animation  and 
earnestness ;  and  it  is  a  cruel  reflection  to  think  on  the  mischief  I  have 
done  myself.  Heard  Catherine  read  part  of  the  Examiner  critique, 
which  was  most  kind — perhaps  too  kind,  but  my  spirits  remain  the 
same.  Glanced  over  the  newspaper ;  saw  my  blessed  children  and 
gave  them  books,  etc.  Walked  for  some  time  round  the  garden  with 
Catherine,  receiving  much  benefit  from  the  cool  fresh  air,  and  talking 
over  my  plans,  in  case  this  untoward  event  should  bear  with  it  all  the 
disaster  I  seem  in  my  concern  to  apprehend.  But  for  my  children — 
ray  blessed  children — I  should  be  quite  indifferent  to  it.  Wrote 
accounts,  arrears,  etc.  Practised  and  read  Macbeth,  and  thought  I 
discovered  the  cause  of  my  failure.  Will  try  to  play  better — but  I 
cannot  recover  the  false  step  I  have  made. 

London,  October  5th. — I  called  on  Wallace,  and  was  comforted  in 
learning  that  I  had  acted  Jaques  very  well.  Came  to  chambers  in 
cab,  and  found  a  very  civil  note  from  Mr.  Chester,  and  one,  with  his 
everlastingly  unburied  play,  from  Mr.  Heraud.  Literary  Gazette 
dismisses  me  with  kind  civility.  I  am  satisfied  and  thankful.  Forster 
called,  to  whom  I  gave  orders  for  to-night  and  Wednesday.  Put  by 
my  clothes,  etc.  Read  two  scenes  of  Hamlet.  Called  at  theatre  and 
saw  Bunn,  who  asked  me  about  Morton's  play,  which  I  declined — 
spoke  to  him  about  orders.  Note  from  Haynes  Bayly  ^  about  his 
right  of  admission ;  and  newspaper  from  Dyer.  Dined  and  saw  news- 
papers at  Garrick  Club — another  lie  of  that  scoundrel.  Hook,  in  the 
John  Bull — the  disgusting  villain!  Went  to  theatre,  and  in  acting 
Macbeth  felt  that  I  carried  my  audience  along  with  me.  I  was  earnest, 
majestic,  and  impassioned.  The  applause  was  enthusiastic,  and  I  was 
obliged  to  go  on  at  the  close  of  the  play.  I  redeemed  myself,  and 
most  grateful  do  I  feel  in  saying  "Thank  God."  Talfourd  came  into 
my  room,  and  said  he  had  "  never  seen  me  finer,  if  indeed  I  had  ever 
played  it  so  well."  Wallace  asked  '  Why  the  d — 1  didn't  I  play  it  so 
on  Thursday?  '     Tried  on  dress  for  Hamlet. 

October  Ith. — Went  to  rehearsal,  and  was  agitated  by  wrathful 
and  indignant  feelings  at  the  impertinence  of  Mr.  Farren  and  Mrs. 
Faucit — who  honoured  me  by  a  cut.  It  occurred  to  me  that  it  was 
in  consequence  of  Mrs.  Faucit  being  cast  a  bad  part  in  the  new  tragedy, 

^  Thomas  Haynes  Bayly  (1797-1839),  verse-writer,  novelist  and  playwright.     Author  of 
"  She  wore  a  Wreath  of  Roses." 

2J3 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

with  which  I  had  nothing  to  do.  I  reasoned  myself  into  calmness, 
but  it  disturbed  my  early  rehearsal ;  though  in  other  respects  it  was 
of  service,  as  it  induced  me  to  speak  the  satirical  speeches  with  a  point 
and  truth  which  showed  me  the  way  to  make  them  effective  I  After 
dining,  lay  down  to  sleep  and  think  over  Hamlet  as  much  as  I  could. 
My  mind  fluctuated  much  between  apprehension,  hope,  and  resolution 
to  do  all  I  could.  I  sometimes  thought  I  would  suppose  it  a  first 
night,  and  labour  as  for  life.  Acted  Hamlet,  to  judge  by  the  con- 
tinued interest  and  the  uniform  success  of  all  the  striking  passages, 
better  than  I  ever  played  it  before.  Forster  and  Wallace  came  into 
my  room ;  the  former  thought  it,  as  a  whole,  the  best  he  had  ever 
seen;  Wallace  told  me  afterwards  that  he  would  have  been  "satisfied 
with  less  effect."  Farren  came  in — in  consequence  of  my  having  (in 
order  to  remove  the  supposed  impression  of  my  interference  with  the 
cast  of  the  new  play)  spoken  to  Mrs.  Faucit  in  the  morning  and,  with 
great  civility  to  her,  noticed  the  "impertinence  "  of  Mr.  Farren.  He 
came  in  to  explain  the  reasons  of  his  behaviour,  which  resolved  them- 
selves into  imagined  slights,  and  so  we  "shook  hands  and  parted." 
'Tis  the  best  way  to  part  with  all  mankind. 

October  8th. — Catherine  arrived  with  dear  Nina  before  I  went  to 
rehearsal,  and  I  was  soon  obliged  to  leave  them.  Went  to  the  theatre, 
where  I  rehearsed  Hotspur  well,  settled  my  dress  (such  as  it  was  to 
be!)  and  sent  over  to  the  Garrick  Club  to  see  what  the  Press  said  of 
me  last  night.  It  is  not  unreasonable  to  ask,  what  should  I  erpect 
from  the  Press  f  The  Times  was,  of  course,  silent  because  I  acted 
well,  the  Herald  the  same.  The  Chronicle  had  a  twaddling  article, 
which  meant  nothing,  and  the  Post  was  indiscriminately  and  boldly 
abusive !  I  certainly  felt  disgust  and  indignation,  but  I  had  the  con- 
sciousness of  having  really  deserved  loell  to  fall  back  upon,  and  I  did 
not  suffer  it  long  to  disturb  me.  Mr.  Cooper  said  he  had  not  seen  the 
play  of  Hamlet  ^^  go  off  in  such  a  way  for  years  " — it  was  expected 
in  the  theatre  that  it  would  have  been  underlined  for  repetition. 
Coming  from  rehearsal  I  met  Forster — to  whom  I  told  the  news  of 
the  Press — his  observation  was  that  it  was  of  no  consequence ;  it  is 
of  consequence — the  consequence  of  doubling  and  of  aggravating  my 
labour  and  diminishing  my  reward.  I  had  spoken  to  Bunn  about 
releasing  me  from  Saturday,  and  after  a  long  endeavour  he  would  not. 
Acted  Hotspur  very  ill — was  wearied  and  over-borne  by  work  and 
excitement.  Talfourd  and  Forster  came  round.  Forster  left  us,  and 
we  went  together  to  sup  at  the  Garrick  Club,  where  Forster  was  sup- 
254 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

ping  with  young  Kean,  who  very  distantly  returned  my  salute.  I 
left  late  and  Talfourd  walked  home  with  me. 

October  10th. — Went  to  theatre,  received  the  Court  Journal,  with 
a  very  kind  and  pleasing  note  from  Mr.  Blanchard.  These  are  the 
few  recompensing  events  which  soothe  the  mind  amidst  the  bitterness 
of  its  sufferings  from  the  persecution  of  malignant  ignorance.  Acted 
Leontes — not  to  my  own  satisfaction.  I  was  not  clear  in  the  words, 
and  abroad  in  my  performance.  How  manifestly  is  this,  which  is  so 
sneered  at  by  the  ignorant,  proved  to  be  an  art  by  those  who  really 
cultivate  it!  Forster  came  round  to  ask  me  if  I  shook  hands  with 
the  players  in  Hamlet,  which  I  did,  and  which,  it  seems,  he  has  accused 
me  of  not  doing.     I  was  amused. 

October  l^tli. — Went  to  Garrick  Club,  dined  and  saw  papers.  The 
Post  has  changed  its  tone  to  the  highest  pitch  of  panegyric!  The 
Herald  is  also  eulogistic.  Went  to  the  theatre,  and  acted  Macbeth 
before  Her  Majesty  ^  and  a  full  house.  The  audience  did  not  come 
solely  and  purposely  to  see  Macbeth,  and  the  labour  to  keep  their 
attention  fixed  was  extreme.  Wallace  came  round  and  said  I  acted 
very  well ;  I  tried  to  do  so,  but  am  not  confident  of  my  success. 
Talfourd  and  Forster  came  to  my  room.  Bunn  told  me  he  must  do 
Othello  ofl  Thursday.  I  said  "  I  could  not."  He  "  must."  I  "  would 
not."  He  sent  me  up  a  note  to  know  which  I  would  do,  Othello  or 
lago,  on  Thursday.  I  returned  for  answer,  lago,  and  would  not  do 
Othello  at  all.  He  then  sent  Cooper  to  me,  to  whom  I  said  the  same, 
and  in  answer  to  his  inquiry  said,  "  I  would  not  do  Othello  under  a 
week's  notice."  He  left  me  without  fixing  anything.  I  was  very 
much  fatigued.  Talfourd  suggested  the  propriety  of  ascertaining  the 
intentions  of  the  management,  and  I  waited  for  Cooper ;  while  speaking 
to  him  Bunn  came  up,  and  wished  me  to  go  into  the  room  and  talk 
it  over.  He  was  as  civil  as  a  dog,  the  dragooning  attempt  had  failed ; 
and  after  some  conversation  Othello  was  fixed  for  Wednesday  week, 
and  The  Provoked  Husband  for  Thursday  next. 

October  ISth. — Opened  newspapers ;  the  Post  was  the  only  one 
that  had  a  lengthened  criticism,  and  stated  that  my  performance  of 
Macbeth  had  "created  quite  a  sensation." 

October  14ith. — Went  to  the  Garrick  Club ;  met  Forster  there 
and  Meadows ;  saw  Mr.  C.  Kean,  who  made  a  very  formal  bow 
to  me.  This  young  man  appears  very  conceited,  and  surely  not 
amiable  in  any  part  of  his  conduct  that  has  come  under  my  cognizance. 

^  Queen  Adelaide. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

He  owes  me  civility.  Read  the  newspapers,  which  do  not  seem  to 
promise  much  success  to  the  adapted  play  of  last  night — Old  Mortality. 
Went  to  Lewis's,^  the  artist,  where  I  was  introduced  to  him  and  saw 
some  very  clever  water-colour  copies  of  Murillo,  Velasquez,  Veronese, 
etc.,  Spanish  costumes,  views  of  the  Alhambra,  and  a  series  of  subjects 
from  the  Bull  Fight.  Was  much  gratified.  Returning  to  Garrick 
Club,  Forster  insisted  on  giving  me  the  views  of  the  Alhambra,  which 
he  is  to  have.     I  resisted  strongly,  but  vainly. 

October  15th. — After  rehearsal  went  to  Garrick  Club,  where  Cap- 
tain Williams,  Fladgate  and  Mr.  T.  Hook  were  in  the  room — the  latter 
saluted  me,  and  advanced  with  one  finger ;  I  met  him  with  one  finger 
and  he  perceived  that  I  was  not  disposed  to  acknowledge  his  title  to 
be  impertinent,  for  he  soon  after  took  Captain  Williams  upstairs.  He 
is  an  object  of  disgust — morally  and  physically — a  pufiEed-out  mounte- 
bank. Went  to  theatre,  and  acted  Lord  Townley  in  a  very  mediocre 
manner,  occasionally  with  spirit,  but  with  an  utter  absence  of  finish 
and  high  deportment.  Spoke  to  Cooper  on  hearing  of  its  intended 
repetition  on  Saturday,  and  told  him  that  I  could  not  do  Othello  on 
Wednesday  if  my  time  were  thus  taken  from  me. 

October  16th. — Note  from  Forster  for  orders,  enclosing  the  Morn- 
ing Herald's  criticism  on  my  Lord  Townley,  which  very  justly  objected 
to  my  want  of  ease  and  formality.  I  cannot  contradict  or  question 
the  fairness  of  the  remark.  Was  introduced  by  Bunn  to  Mr.  Joseph 
Parkes,^  whom  I  had  long  wished  to  know.  Went  to  theatre  and 
acted  Hamlet,  not  as  I  did  the  last  time — I  felt  then  the  inspiration 
of  the  part ;  to-night  I  felt  as  if  I  had  a  load  upon  my  shoulders.  The 
actors  said  I  played  well.  The  audience  called  for  me  and  made  me 
go  forward.  Wallace,  Forster,  and  H.  Smith,  who  came  into  my 
room,  all  thought  I  played  well — but  I  did  not.  I  was  not  satisfied 
with  myself — there  was  effort,  and  very  little  free  flow  of  passion.  I 
fear  the  papers  may  notice  me  to-morrow !  Mr.  Bunn  came  into  my 
room,  and  spoke  to  me  about  Othello  for  Wednesday.  I  refused ;  he 
wished  to  see  me  in  his  room,  and  there  I  was  witness  to  a  great  deal 
of  gross  and  blackguard  conversation  ;  was  very  quiet,  and  left  without 
any  settlement. 

October  llth. — A  note  was  brought  me  from  Mr.  L ,  formerly 

^  John  Frederick  Lewis  (1805-1876),  the  well-known  R.A. 

•  Joseph   Parkes   (1796-1865),   solicitor  and   politician  ;  prominent  as  an  s^itator  for 
reform,  to  carry  which,  after  the  rejection  of  the  Bill  he  had  made  preparations  to  resort,  if 
necessary,  to  an  armed  revolt. 
256 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Ensign  30th  Regiment,  who  dined  at  the  Mess  at  Gosport;  his  wife 
was  the  bearer.  It  was  a  soUcitation  for  charity.  His  wife  and  his 
letter  described  him  as  having  sold  his  wardrobe  to  that  extent  that 
he  had  not  the  means  of  appearing,  that  she  was  a  chorus  singer  at 
the  Opera  House,  and  he  was  soliciting  Colonel  Rowan  ^  for  employ- 
ment in  the  police !  I  recollect  him  a  handsome,  foolish,  extravagant 
young  man  at  table  at  Gosport,  drinking  champagne  to  excess.  How 
many  of  the  same  regiment  have  been  reduced  to  a  similar  condition. 
This  does  not  say  much  for  the  beneficial  tendency  of  our  mihtary 
establishment.  Dined  and  saw  newspapers  at  the  Garrick  Club — none 
of  them  notice  me.  Blanchard  accosted  me  at  the  door,  and  talked 
some  time  with  me ;  he  was  pleased  with  the  note  I  sent  him ;  I  feel 
very  grateful  to  him.  In  the  Club  saw  Planche,  who  related  to  me 
the  circumstance  of  a  very  beautiful  girl  being  enwrapt  and  violently 
agitated  with  the  play  last  night,  so  as  to  attract  observation.  It  is 
pleasing  to  hear  this.     Saw  Knowles,  wild  as  the  wind. 

October  18th. — Was  very  much  fatigued  and  annoyed  by  yielding 
up  my  mind  to  a  train  of  imaginations,  depressing  and  sicklying  over 
my  mind  to  a  very  painful  degree — dreams  of  ill,  of  annoyance  and 
strife  that  made  me  ashamed  of  my  own  absurdity,  when  I  awoke 
myself  from  them. 

October  Idth. — Knowles  called,  and  descanted  on  the  merits  of  Miss 
Elphinstone ;  ^  asked  me  for  orders,  seemed  nettled  at  Talfoiu*d's 
classing  him  with  the  other  authors  in  his  preface,  and  yielded  praise 
with  manifest  reluctance  and  coldness  to  Ion.  This  is  not  just,  nor 
generous,  nor  grateful,  for  Talfourd  has  written  most  and  best  in 
his  praise  of  any  critic.  Acted  Macbeth,  I  think,  well ;  perhaps  not 
so  careful  in  the  preservation  of  my  deportment  as  I  should  have  been, 
but  with  more  abandon  than  heretofore. 

October  S.Oth. — Forster  called ;  we  talked  about  the  knavery  of 
Mr.  C.  Kemble,  and  many  other  things ;  he  walked  with  me  to  the 
Garrick  Club,  where  I  dined  and  saw  newspapers.  After  sitting  some 
time  in  the  library,  I  came  down  and  talked  for  a  few  minutes  with 
Price,  Fladgate  and  Theodore  Hook !  The  papers  were  all  favourable 
to  Covent  Garden,  the  company,  and  Mr.  C.  Kemble  in  Hamlet.  So 
will  they  not  be  to  me !  ! — mais.  Monsieur  ! 

^  Colonel,  afterwards  Sir  Charles  Rowan,  K,C.B.  (1762-1852)  ;  served  in  the  Peninsula 
and  at  Waterloo.  The  first  holder  of  the  Chief  Commissionership  of  Police  after  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  new  force  by  Peel  when  Home  Secretary. 

*  An  actress  of  no  note,  with  whom  Knowles  had  formed  a  liaison. 

VOL.  I.  S  257 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

October  21st. — Went  to  the  theatre,  and  felt  very  nervous  and 
unsettled ;  reasoned  with  myself,  and  partially  recovered  my  self-posses- 
sion; but,  in  truth,  was  hurried  out  in  the  part  of  Othello,  and  was 
not  perfectly  possessed  of  it.  The  criticism  I  passed  on  Malibran's 
Fidelio  will  exactly  suit  my  own  Othello — it  was  "elaborate,  but  not 
abandoned."  In  the  early  scenes  I  was  abroad,  making  eflEort,  but 
not  feeling  my  audience ;  in  the  jealous  scenes  I  had  attention,  and 
certainly  had  no  reason  to  be  discontented  by  the  degree  of  intelhgence, 
skill,  or  effort  shown  by  lago ;  ^  but  the  audience  seemed  to  wait  for 
Kean's  points,  and  this  rather  threw  me  off  my  balance.  In  the 
soliloquy  after  lago's  exit  I  in  some  degree  asserted  myself,  and  though 
not  up  to  my  own  expectations  in  the  "Farewell,"  etc.,  yet,  in  the 
grand  burst,  I  carried  the  house  with  me.  From  that  point  I  should 
say  the  performance  averaged  good,  but  was  not  in  any,  except  that 
one  outbreak,  great.  The  newspapers  wiM,  of  course,  annoy  me. 
They  will  I  Dow  and  Forster  came  into  my  room — rather  satisfied ; 
Wallace,  on  whom  I  can  better  depend,  not  so  much  so.  He  is  my 
barometer.  I  was  obhged  to  go  on  before  the  audience,  which,  as 
Mr.  Vandenhoff  was  also  called  for,  I  had  rather  not  have  done. 

October  22nd. — After  a  restless  night  (which  indisposition  of  body 
as  well  as  an  uncomfortable  state  of  mind  tended  to  make  long  and 
unrefreshing)  I  rose  with  very  uneasy  anticipations  of  the  newspapers' 
report  of  my  Othello.  I  came  at  last  to  the  resolution  not  to  see 
them.  Wrote  a  note  to  Wallace,  excusing  myself  from  sending  the 
orders  for  to-night.  Forster  sent  me  the  notice  of  the  Times,  which, 
for  the  Times,  was  highly  favourable.  It  set  my  mind  at  peace 
instantly — as  much  from  the  value  it  set  on  Mr.  Vandenhoff's  per- 
formance, as  for  the  praise  it  gave  to  mine.  This  man  has  intrigued 
and  caballed  much  with  country  newspapers,  and  through  his  instru- 
mentality I  have  been  systematically  abused  at  Liverpool,  Edinburgh, 
etc.  He  has  puffed  himself  and  stuffed  some  few  of  his  listeners  with 
the  notion  that  I  had  usurped  his  place.  He  had  the  opportunity 
of  showing  his  talent  last  night ;  he  did  show  it — a  poorer,  more  un- 
meaning, slouching,  ungainly,  mindless,  unimaginative  performance 
I  have  never  witnessed  in  any  person  making  pretensions  to  high  rank. 
He  is  a  man  of  a  very  poor,  very  little,  and  very  vulgar  mind.  Called 
on  Forster,  saw  the  Post,  badly  written,  but  highly  encomiastic. 
Truly  grateful  am  I  for  the  impression  which  my  performance  seems 

^  Vandenhoff  was  lago,  Cooper  was  Cassio,  and  Harley,  Roderigo  ;  Mrs.  Yates  was  the 
Desdemona,  and  Miss  E.  Tree  the  Emilia  (note  by  Sir  F.  Pollock). 

258 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

to  have  made.  Went  to  rehearse  the  Queen's  and  Polonius'  scenes; 
thence  to  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw  a  very  ridiculous  article  trying 
to  make  out  C.  Kemble's  Macbeth  (a  notorious  failure)  ^  superior  to 
my  own ;  it  is  merely  proving,  if  anything  be  proved,  that  both  are 

execrable.     Saw   Captain   Williams,    Mrs.    W ,   etc.     Coming   to 

chambers,  wrote  to  Catherine,  enclosing  the  Times  criticism.  William 
Birch  called.  Read  Hamlet,  though  much  oppressed.  Recovered  my 
spirits  in  going  to  the  theatre,  and  resolved  to  do  my  best  in  Hamlet, 
which  I  played  really  well — the  play-scene  and  closet  and  death  better, 
I  think,  than  I  have  yet  done.  Forster  came  round  and  spoke  of  Mr. 
Jones  and  C.  Kemble  in  Hamlet.  I  requested  him  not  to  speak 
harshly  of  the  former,  knowing  he  would  not  of  the  latter.  He  walked 
home  with  me.  My  cold  very  bad.  Cooper  came  to  ask  me  when  I 
should  be  ready  with  the  new  play.  I  answered  I  did  not  know  until 
I  had  read  and  considered  it.  I  fancy  they  have  arrested  Bunn,  as  he 
never  shows  himself  to  me! 

October  2Qrd. — ^Felt  so  unwell  that  I  could  not  come  to  any  resolu- 
tion as  to  acting  or  being  excused ;  tried  to  nurse  myself,  and  hoped 
each  hour  would  find  me  better,  but  no ;  at  twelve  I  sent  for  Forster, 
who  thought  I  ought  not  to  risk  Othello  if  I  did  not  feel  equal  to  it. 
This  decided  me,  and  I  wished  to  write  a  note,  but  he  seemed  anxious 
to  bear  the  communication,  and  I  did  not  refuse  him.  He  returned  at 
two,  to  say  that  Bunn  was  a  most  atrocious  beast,  and  that  he  had 
behaved  most  cavaherly  to  him.  This  he  might  have  expected  on  such 
a  message,  if  he  had  known  the  man ;  but  Cooper  was  to  call  presently. 
Cooper  did  call,  and  after  much  conversation  they  both  agreed  that 
it  would  be  better  I  should  make  the  effort  at  all  risks,  as  Bunn  might 
seek  to  do  me  some  mischief.  Cooper  offered  to  make  an  apology  for 
me,  which  I  declined — I  did  not  fully  coincide  with  their  reasonings, 
but  felt  myself  so  much  better  that  I  yielded.  A  letter  from  Powell 
&  Son  with  the  agreement  for  the  purchase  of  the  Granby  ^  for  £4900. 
I  hope  it  is  for  the  best,  though  it  is  a  great  sacrifice.  Dow  called 
and  stayed  a  short  time.  Sent  to  inquire  after  Mrs.  Talfourd,  who 
I  was  glad  to  learn  was  doing  well.  Received  a  very  kind  and  enthu- 
siastic note  from  Mr.  Dyer.^  Answered  it  very  hastily.  Went  to 
theatre  and  had  a  short  conversation  on  very  good  terms  with  Bunn. 
Acted  Othello.     I  am  puzzled  to  say  how,  for  both  Dow  and  Forster, 

'  C.  Kemble,  though  excelling  in  comedy,  was  not  successful  as  a  tragedian. 

^  The  Harrogate  hotel  in  which  he  had  invested. 

'  Presumably  George  Dyer  (1755-1841) ;  poet  and  essayist,  a  friend  of  Charles  Lamb. 

S2  259 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

who  came  into  my  room  afterwards,  seemed  to  think  me  not  so  good 
as  on  Wednesday  night,  and  in  many  particulars  I  thought  myself 
better.  The  reception  which  the  audience  gave  me  was  very  marked 
to-night,  and  in  the  presence  of  Mr.  VandenhoflE  must  and  did  show 
him  that  they  considered  we  stood  at  a  wide  distance.  He  was  visibly 
agitated  with — must  I  not  say  from  this  man's  previous  low  and 
illiberal  behaviour — envy?  My  thanks  to  God  are  due  and  fervently 
offered. 

October  ^lih. — Still  sensations  of  cold  and  lassitude  upon  me; 
read  in  the  Times  a  notice  on  Mr.  C.  Kemble's  Macbeth,  which  was 
enough  to  make  a  whole  man  sick.  This  very  performance  Talfourd 
last  night  came  away  from  in  disgust,  and  Hayward,  who  does  not 
know  much  on  the  subject,  observed :  "  This  does  not  seem  very  good, 
what  do  you  think  of  it  ?  "  But  of  what  use  is  art,  or  labour  to  acquire 
it,  or  cultivation  of  mind  to  elevate  it,  when  our  public  will  crowd  at 
half-price  to  see  an  impudent  mountebank,  and  a  ranting,  mindless, 
periwig-pated  fellow  "  tearing  a  passion  to  tatters  " ;  they  make  no 
choice  between  the  filthy  garbage  and  the  celestial  bed,  except  as  to  the 
price ! 

October  ^Sth. — Lay  down  to  think  over  Othello ;  was  particularly 
desirous  of  acting  it  well,  on  account  of  its  own  importance,  and  because 
I  wished  Catherine  to  be  pleased  with  it.  Went  to  theatre,  where  I 
strove  to  act  with  all  the  spirit  and  energy  that  I  could  command. 
Found  the  audience  one  which,  in  their  anxiety  to  prevent  interruption, 
suppressed  much  of  the  applause,  which  rather  chilled  and  perplexed 
me ;  still  I  strove  and  I  think  succeeded  in  performing  the  whole 
character  better — more  grandly,  deeply,  and  nobly — than  I  have  yet 
done. 

Elstree,  October  29t/i. — Lay  very  late,  thinking  over  the  play  of 
last  night  (Othello),  and  revolving  in  my  mind  the  slow  and  com- 
paratively unprofitable  advance  of  my  reputation ;  the  danger  it  runs 
from  the  appearance  of  every  new  aspirant,  and  the  reluctant  admis- 
sions that  are  made  to  it.  Walked  in  the  garden,  and  inhaled,  with 
grateful  and  tranquil  pleasure,  the  pure  air  of  the  country.  Began 
to  think  of  Richard  III. 

London,  October  Slst. — Went  to  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw  the 
papers,  and  the  new  magazines,  in  which  was  nothing  to  interest  me; 
several  of  the  performers  were  there  and  I  learned  that  the  success 
of  the  new  Opera  had  been  very  great,  and  that  Othello  was  removed 
from  the  play-bills.  It  is  as  impolitic  to  take  it  down  from  that  night, 
260 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

being  put  up,  as  it  was  to  announce  it ;  but  this  fellow,  Bunn,  was,  is, 
and  will  be  a  beast  to  the  last  days  of  his  disgusting  existence. 

November  2nd. — Went  to  town,  was  just  in  time  for  the  rehearsal 
of  the  Provost  of  Bruges,  to  which  I  went.  My  hopes  were  not  raised 
by  the  nearer  glimpse  of  it  which  this  first  rehearsal  gave  me.  I 
agreed  to  take  the  book  home  and  mark  the  sides  ready  for  the  next 
rehearsal.  Mr.  Yates  ^  wished  to  speak  to  me  before  I  left  the  theatre  ; 
I  went  to  his  room  after  the  play  was  finished.  I  soon  perceived  which 
way  the  conversation  was  pointing.  It  appeared  from  his  showing  that 
Mr.  Bunn  had  no  funds  to  carry  on  the  concern  if  it  failed,  and  that 
the  proprietors,  to  meet  the  effect  of  the  Covent  Garden  reduced  prices, 
had  agreed  to  let  one-third  of  the  rent  stand  over  till  Christmas  if  the 
actors  would  do  the  same  with  their  salaries ;  and  to  me,  in  the  first 
instance,  the  proposal  was  made.  I  mentioned  to  him  Mr.  Bunn's 
behaviour  to  me  in  Ireland,  and  subsequently  about  my  week's  salary 
here,  which  latter  he  explained  to  me  was  Captain  Polhill's  debt ;  but, 
what  I  did  not  then  think  of,  it  was  Mr.  Bunn^s  contesting  it  that 
prevented  its  payment.  I  would  give  no  answer.  He  said  that  I  was 
underpaid  in  proportion  to  the  other  salaries.  I  said  I  knew  that, 
but  did  not  murmur  at  it ;  I  would  think  of  his  proposal,  and  see  him 
on  Wednesday.  I  saw  Mr.  Bunn  about  Ion,  on  which  I  could  get  no 
distinct  answer  except  that  he  'would  do  whatever  I  might  say,* 
How  changed  from  his  late  conversation,  and  yet  it  means  nothing, 
except  that  it  may  be  evaded. 

November  4t^. — Went  to  Garrick  Club — saw  Jerdan,  Forster — 
congratulated  Maclise  on  being  made  an  Associate;^  saw  Fitzgerald's 
last  notice  of  my  Othello  in  Morning  Post,  very  complimentary. 

November  5th. — Went  to  dine  with  Fitzgerald.  Hope,  the  Catter- 
moles,  and  Forster  dined  there.  Hayward,  N.  P.  Willis  ^  and  bride, 
and  some  other  unknowns  came  in  the  evening.  The  day  was  to  me 
cheerful  and  pleasant,  but  I  was  an  instance  of  the  bad  effect,  which 
Bulwer  judiciously  observes  in  Pelham,  of  holding  an  argument  in 
mixed  society.     I  liked  my  host  and  hostess  very  much,  and  the  guests. 

I  felt  much  amused,  and  indeed  gratified.     Mrs.  F sang  some  very 

sweet  and  touching  songs,  the  words  by  her  husband,  the  music  by 

1  Acting-manager  at  Drury  Lane  {note  hv  Sir  F.  Pollock^. 

*  Of  the  Royal  Academy  ;  he  was  elected  an' Academician  five  years'later. 

'  N.  P.  Willis  would  hardly  have  been  flattered  at  being  grouped  with  "  unknowns." 
He  was  an  obtrusive  American,  who,  thanks  to  introductions  and  his  own  assurance,  edged 
himself  into  London  Society,  of  which  he  published  his  impressions,  characterized  by 
inaccuracy  and  bad  taste. 

261 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1885 

herself.  It  was  strange  that  as  I  gazed  on  her,  receiving  and  impart- 
ing pleasure,  my  imagination  presented  me  her  form  in  death — the 
hands  actively  pressing  music  from  the  instrument,  stark  and  cold,  and 
the  lips  rigid  and  pale,  that  now  poured  forth  such  touching  sounds. 
Hayward  introduced  me  to  Willis,  with  whom  I  chatted  of  America. 
Note  from  Talfourd,  who  "assumes  that  Ion  is  to  be  acted." 

November  ^Oth. — Called  on  Forster,  and  stayed  some  time 
listening  to  a  tale  of  wretched  abandonment  to  passion  that  surprised 
and  depressed  me.     He  told  me  that  he  had  been  on  the  point  of 

marriage  with  Miss  L ,  but  that  rumours  and  stories  pressed  in 

such  number  and  frightful  quality  upon  him  that  he  was  forced  to 
demand  explanation  from  one  of  the  reported  narrators  or  circulators, 
Mr.  A.  A.  Watts  * — ^that  his  denial  was  positive  and  circumstantial, 
but  that  it  was  arranged  between  themselves  and  their  mutual  friends 
that  the  marriage  should  be  broken  off.     A  short  time  after  Forster 
discovered  that  Miss  L made  an  abrupt  and  passionate  declara- 
tion of  love  to  Maclise,  and  on  a  subsequent  occasion  repeated  it ! 
It  has  lately  come  to  light  that  she  has  been  carrjdng  on  an  intrigue 
with  Dr.  Maginn,^  a  person  whom  I  never  saw,  but  whom  all  accounts 
unite  in  describing  as  a  beastly  biped ;  he  is  married  and  has  four 
children.     Two  letters  of  hers  and  one  of  his  were  found  by  Mrs. 
Maginn  in  his  portrait,  filled  with  the  most  puerile  and  nauseating 
terms  of  endearment  and  declarations  of  attachment !     I  felt  quite 
concerned  that  a  woman  of  such  splendid  genius  and  such  agreeable 
manners  should  be  so  depraved  in  taste  and  so  lost  to  a  sense  of  what 
was  due  to  her  high   reputation.     She  is  fallen  I     Drove   to   Drury 
Lane  Theatre,    and   just   reached  it   before  the  half-price   came  in. 
The  house  was  crowded  and  I  was  obliged  to  go  to  the  third  circle 
for  a  seat.     I  was  obliged  to  sit  through  some  scenes  of  the  Opera  and 
witness  the  disgusting  antics  of  Mr.  H.  Phillips.'     The  Jewess  is  the 
most  gorgeous  pageant  I  have  ever  seen  on  an  English  stage — beyond 
all  reach  of  comparison.     The  acting  was  up  to  the  spectacle  mark  of 
old  times,  when  I  have  seen  Terry,  Wallack,  etc.     It  did  not,  I  think, 
go  beyond — for  instance,  I  do  not  think  Mr.  Vandenhoff  in  the  Jew 
better  than  Mr.  Wallack  in  the  Rent  Day,  or  than  Terry  the  first 

^  Alaric  Alexander  Watts  (1797-1864)  ;  journalist,  verse-writer,  and  essayist. 

^  William  Maginn  (1793-1842),  the  well-known  journalist;  one  of  the  principal  con- 
tributors to  Fraset's  Magazine.  Supposed  to  be  the  original  of  * '  Captain  Shandon "  in 
Thackeray's  Pendennis. 

*  See  note,  p.  135. 
262 


1885]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

night  of  the  Broken  Sword.  He  was  artificial,  coarse,  and  I  should 
say  melodramatic ;  his  best  scene  was  his  death,  but  there  was  no 
touch  of  art  to  elevate  the  situation ;  it  wanted  hearty  soul,  and  mind. 
It  was  good  of  its  kind.  Ellen  Tree  disappointed  me.  Wrote  to 
Catherine. 

November  21st. — Rising,  I  felt  the  peculiarity  of  my  situation  as 
regards  my  profession — quite  interdicted  from  its  exercise  during  the 
greater  part,  if  not  the  entire,  of  the  season,  and  all  the  hopes  of 
profit  from  new  characters,  upon  the  strength  of  which  I  made  this 
engagement,  utterly  falsified.  There  seems  a  destiny  which  constantly 
prevents  me  from  reaching  that  happy  point  of  success  which  will  give 
recompense  to  my  labour.  like  the  Hebrew  liberator,  I  see  the 
promised  land,  but  am  not  permitted  to  possess  it.  I  do  not  on  that 
account  complain  of  my  fate,  or  lose  my  energies  in  despondency.  On 
the  contrary,  I  resolve  that  I  will  not  yield  to  this  untoward  pressure 
of  circumstances.  I  will  diligently  persevere  in  my  work  of  improve- 
ment, and  endeavour  to  turn  my  leisure  to  rich  account,  "waiting  the 
event  of  time,"  and  thankful  for  what  I  enjoy.  Went  to  Garrick 
Club,  where  I  saw  newspapers — the  letter  of  that  wretched,  impotent 
apostate.  Sir  F.  Burdett,'^  on  that  dangerous,  licentious,  turbulent,  ill- 
conditioned  man,  O'Connell's  expulsion  from  Brooks'  Club.  Is  this 
his  patriotism,  to  incense  a  man  who  with  the  fury  of  the  tiger  has  a 
mammoth-like  power  in  his  own  country?  It  is  an  insult,  not  any 
serious  injury.  Find  that  my  prediction  of  young  C.  Mathews 
turning  player  is  verified  already. 

November  9,5th. — Going  out  called  to  inquire  of  Forster  about 
the  orders  I  had  given  to  Cattermole ;  he  walked  with  me  to  the 
Quadrant,  talking  of  the  theatre,  and  seemingly  urging  me  to  take 
up  the  gauntlet  for  the  Art.  Were  I  independent  I  would  make  an 
effort ;  as  it  is,  my  family  bind  my  hands,  and  it  is  happier  for  me  that 
it  is  so.     The  temporary  indignation  that  is  excited  by  successful 

^  Sir  Francis  Burdctt  (1770-1844),  who  for  the  greater  part  of  his  life  had  bsen  oraffected 
to  be  a  democrat,  had  now  executed  a  complete  volte-^ace,  which  he  signalized  by  entering 
Parliament  in  1837  as  an  avowed  Tory.  In  his  new  character  he  made  frequent  attacks  on 
his  former  allies  the  Whigs,  a  pastime  which  on  one  occasion  provoked  a  crushing  retort 
from  Lord  John  Russell.  Commenting  on  an  appeal  to  patriotism  made  by  Lord  John  in  the 
course  of  a  speech  in  the  House,  Sir  Francis  declared  that  there  was  nothing  in  politics  so 
contemptible  as  "the  cant  of  patriotism."  "I  beg  to  differ  from  the  honourable  baronet," 
Lord  John  retorted  in  his  iciest  manner,  "  I  can  tell  him  of  something  even  more  con- 
temptible, and  that  is  the  re-cant  of  patriotism!" — a  home-thrust  which  Burdett  was 
powerless  to  parry. 

263 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

scoundrelism  urges  one  to  wish  and  even  to  move  towards  defeating 
it — but  who  are  your  adversaries  I  What  is  your  reward  ? — I  will  none 
of  it.  Forster  told  me  of  an  attack,  a  personal  one  as  well  as  pro- 
fessional, made  on  me  in  that  ribald  paper,  the  Age;  it  is  impotent, 
and  such  I  feel  it  to  be ;  my  answer  will  be  made  through  the  Irish 
Insolvent  Court  to  the  writer,  Mr.  Bunn.  I  cannot  personally  soil 
myself  with  either  of  the  filthy  persons,  Westmacott  or  Bunn,  con- 
cerned in  it.  Called  on  A.  Watts,  and  found  Mrs.  W .  He  after- 
wards came  in.  He  is  manifestly,  I  think,  a  low  person.  I  know  not 
why,  but  I  feel  in  his  manner  the  absence  of  anything  lofty  or  generous 
in  his  mind.  Dined  and  saw  newspapers  at  Garrick  Club ;  wrote  note 
of  invitation  to  Jerdan.  Saw  an  American  paper,  in  which  was  an 
attack  on  Knowles  for  his  intimacy  with  Miss  Elphinstone ;  the  paper 
is  a  puritanical  one,  but  must  be,  if  widely  circulated,  injurious  to 
him.  Saw  Fladgate,  White,  Cattermole,  T.  Hill,  Stanfield,  Forster 
and  Dowling,  who  sat  with  me  for  nearly  two  hours  after  dinner. 
Went  to  the  Lyceum  theatre ;  saw  in  the  company  present  the  effect 
of  reduced  prices !  The  performances  were  middling ;  not  so  bad  as 
those  of  Covent  Garden. 

November  9,6th. — Read  a  review,  and  some  beautiful  and  touching 
extracts  from  a  dramatic  poem  called  Paracelsus  by  Robert  Browning.^ 

November  9,11th. — Went  from  chambers  to  dine  with  Rev.  William 
Fox,  Bayswater.  Met  with  him  Mr.  Home,  author  of  Cosmo,  Miss 
Flower,  who  lives  in  the  house  with  Mr.  Fox  and  a  little  girl,  his 
daughter.  I  like  Mr.  Fox  very  much ;  he  is  an  original  and  profound 
thinker,  and  most  eloquent  and  ingenious  in  supporting  the  penetrat- 
ing views  he  takes.  Mr.  Robert  Browning,  the  author  of  Paracelsus, 
came  in  after  dinner;  I  was  very  much  pleased  to  meet  him.  His  face 
is  full  of  intelligence.  My  time  passed  most  agreeably.  Mr.  Fox's 
defence  of  the  suggestion  that  Lady  Macbeth  should  be  a  woman  of 
delicate  and  fragile  frame  pleased  me  very  much,  though  he  opposed 
me,  and  of  course  triumphantly.  I  took  Mr.  Browning  on,  and 
requested  to  be  allowed  to  improve  my  acquaintance  with  him.  He 
expressed  himself  warmly,  as  gratified  by  the  proposal ;  wished  to  send 
me  his  book ;  we  exchanged  cards  and  parted. 

November  9,Sth. — Proceeded  to  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw 
Meadows,  Fladgate,  Theodore  Hook ;  read  the  newspapers ;  heard  the 

*  Browning  was  then  only  twenty-three.  Paracelsus  was  the  first  work  of  his  that  brought 
him  into  notice,  if  not  with  the  general  public  at  all  events  with  the  Jlite  of  the  literary 
world. 

264 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

lamentations  for  Hatfield  House  and  the  old  Dowager  of  Salisbury.^ 
There  are  poor  enough  to  engross  my  pity  till  these  dwellers  in 
palaces  can  learn  to  feel  for  the  inmates  of  the  hovels  round  them. 

December  3rd. — Wrote  a  note  to  Mr.  Bunn  with  notice  of  the 
Bridal f  and  a  contemptuous  allusion  to  his  abuse  of  me  in  the  Age. 
On  reflection,  feeling  that  it  was  debasing  myself  to  bestow  even  a 
word  of  scorn  upon  the  injuries  of  such  a  wretch,  and  yet  not 
liking  to  address  him  in  terms  of  civility  without  an  intimation  that  I 
only  used  the  terms  of  civility  conventionally,  I  thought  it  better  to 
address  the  letter  to  Yates,  as  I  am  not  to  know  (indeed  I  do  not)  that 
Mr.  Bunn  is  not  still  at  Brighton. 

December  5th. — Called  on  Archdeacon  Pott,^  saw  him,  Miss  Frye, 
Miss  Caroline  Pott,  found  them  all  very  old,  in  all  other  respects  the 
same.  Called  on  Mr.  Buller ;  ^  saw  and  sat  some  time  with  Mrs.  Buller, 
the  Cornelia  of  the  day.  Politics  was  the  only  subject  that  passed  off 
our  tete-a-tete.     Left  a  card  at  Horace  Twiss's. 

ElstreCf  December  1th. — Read  Paracelsus,  a  work  of  great  daring, 
starred  with  poetry  of  thought,  feeling  and  diction,  but  occasionally 
obscure ;  the  writer  can  scarcely  fail  to  be  a  leading  spirit  of  his  time. 

December  Sth. — Finished  Paracelsus.  I  am  obliged  to  confess  that 
the  main  design  of  the  poem  is  not  made  out  with  sufficient  clearness, 
and  obscurity  is  a  fault  in  many  passages,  but  there  is  a  most  subtle 
and  penetrating  search  into  the  feelings  and  impulses  of  our  nature, 
some  exquisite  points  of  character,  the  profoundest  and  the  grandest 
thoughts  and  most  musically  uttered.  The  writer  is  one  whom  I  think 
destined  for  very  great  things.  My  children  were  with  me,  extracting 
stories  from  me  and  amusing  me  in  return.  Looked  over  Marino 
FalierOf  which  (I  again  express  my  decided  conviction)  cannot  be 
successful  to  any  good  purpose.  I  want  to  find  something  to  do — 
something  to   mend   my   fortunes   and   secure   my  blessed   wife   and 

^  Widow  of  the  first  Marquis  of  Salisbury  ;  noteworthy  as  a  leader  of  society,  and  Tory 
grande  dame.  She  was  burned  to  death  in  a  fire  which  originated  in  her  bedroom,  and  did 
great  damage  to  Hatfield  House. 

^  Joseph  Holden  Pott  (1759-1847),  Archdeacon  of  London,  1813-1842  ;  he  officiated  at 
Macready's  marriage. 

'  The  father  of  Charles  Buller  and  his  brother  Arthur,  who  was  also  regarded  as  a 
young  man  of  much  promise ;  hence  Mrs.  Buller's  appellation  of  Cornelia.  Arthur  Buller, 
however,  hardly  fulfilled  the  predictions  of  his  friends,  his  achievements  being  limited  to  a 
Ceylon  judgeship  (which  procured  him  a  knighthood),  and,  on  his  retirement,  a  seat  in  Parlia- 
ment, where  he  made  no  mark.  He  was  the  father  of  one  of  the  best-looking  and  most 
brilliant  athletes  of  his  day,  Charles  Francis  Buller,  a  school  Crichton  and  regimental  idol 
in  the  Sixties,  the  sunset  of  whose  life,  however,  was  in  a  sad  contrast  to  its  dawn. 

265 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1835 

children  in  competence  when  I  am  gone,  and  I  have  nothing  more  to 
ask  of  Providence. 

December  14t/i. — I  was  amused  by  the  superstition  of  our  servants. 
The  cook  observed  that  she  turned  the  beds  every  day  except  Friday, 
then  she  only  shook  them ;  and  Phillips  hoped  the  pig  would  not  be 
killed  on  Wednesday,  as  the  fulling  of  the  moon  was  not  good  for  the 
bacon. 

London,  December  16th. — Went  to  Mr.  Buller's — passed  an 
unpleasant  day — did  not  feel  myself  at  home;  my  spirits  were  sunk 
still  more  by  the  accident  of  the  coach-window  falling  out,  and  my 
expectation  of  a  summons  every  moment  from  the  coachman  to  dispute 
with  me  the  payment  of  it.  It  was  a  very  long  time  before  I  recovered 
my  composure  and  presence  of  mind,  and  then  I  thought  the  persons 
not  cordial,  nor  in  sympathy  with  me — rather  supercilious  and  reserved 
— I  was  decidedly  unsuccessful.  There  were  present  the  three  Messrs. 
BuUer,  Romilly,^  Leader,  Courtenay,^  Austin,^  the  most  agreeable  of 
the  guests,  Miss  Austin ;  and  in  the  evening  Hayward  and  a  very 
pretty  girl,  who  sang  well.  I  promised  to  talk  with  Mr.  C.  Buller 
on  the  management  of  the  voice ;  walked  home  with  Hayward,  whose 
scandal  and  compassion  for  his  friends'  follies  and  vices,  and  whose 
incredulity  upon  the  enormities  he  related,  as  said  of  them,  amused 
me  very  much.  Among  other  lamentations  of  Hayward  was  a  very 
particular  one  on  my  account,  viz.  that  my  friend  Greaves  was  black- 
balled !     What  an  advantage  is  such  a  d d  good-natured  friend ! 

I  should  not  have  known  this  but  for  him  I 

December  Vlth. — Went  to  Garrick  Club,  where  I  inquired  of 
Winston  if  my  friend  Greaves  was  black-balled.  He  told  me  that  to 
the  surprise  and  regret  of  almost  all  present  such  was  the  fact,  and  so 
unexpected  was  it  that  they  put  the  beans  into  the  ballot-box  again — 
each  time  there  was  one  black  ball.  It  was  Colonel  Fitzroy  Stanhope. 
I  spoke  to  Durrant — who  was  very  urgent  with  me  to  put  up  Greaves 
again,  but  this  I  declined — and  to  Fladgate  too  plainly,  and  too  much 
at  length  upon  the  subject.  Had  a  long  conversation  afterwards  with 
H.  Reynolds  on  the  expediency  of  having  strangers  allowed  to  dine 
with  private  parties. 

*  Presumably  John  Romilly  (1802- 1874),  afterwards  successively  Sir  John  and  first  Lord 
Romilly;  Master  of  the  Rolls,  1851-1873. 

*  Probably  William  Reginald  Courtenay  (i  807.1 888),afterwards  eleventh  Earl  of  Devon  and 
President  of  the  Poor  Law  Board  in  Lord  Derby's  and  Disraeli's  Administrations  1867-1868. 

'  Either  John  Austin  the  jurist  {1790-1859),  or  Charles  Austin  (1799-1874)  the  eminent 
Parliamentary  counsel,  with  whom  Disraeli,  some  years  later,  had   a  rancorous  encounter, 
resulting  in  his  (Disraeli's)  apolc^etic  appearance  before  a  posse  of  High  Court  judges. 
266 


1835]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

December  9,8th. — Wrote  note  to  Mr.  Farren,  making  an  appoint- 
ment with  hira  for  Saturday  next,  from  which  I  look  for  no  further 
result  than  the  certification  of  the  inutility  of  occupying  my  mind 
further  with  abortive  schemes  of  regenerating  the  stage.  To  be  assured 
is  one  step  towards  effecting  something,  even  if  not  all  we  wish. 
Received  letters  from  Greaves,  expressing  in  the  mildest  and  most 
gentlemanly  strain  his  regret  at  the  vexation  which  his  rejection  from 
the  Garrick  Club  had  occasioned  me,  but  taking  his  own  share  of  the 
disappointment  (which  to  him  is  an  inconvenience)  most  tranquilly  and 
contentedly. 

December  31st. — Frederick  Reynolds  arrived  a  little  after  four 
o'clock.  Busied  myself  with  "house  affairs."  Our  other  guests  were 
Miss  Kenney,  Forster,  Cattermole,  Browning  and  Mr.  Munro.  Mr. 
Browning  was  very  popular  with  the  whole  party ;  his  simple  and 
enthusiastic  manner  engaged  attention  and  won  opinions  from  all  pre- 
sent ;  he  looks  and  speaks  more  like  a  youthful  poet  than  any  man  I 
ever  saw.  We  poured  out  a  libation  as  a  farewell  to  the  old  year  and 
a  welcome  to  the  new.  The  year  is  gone,  and  with  it  much  of  happi- 
ness, of  care  and  fear ;  I  am  so  much  older,  and  lament  to  say  not  much 
better,  not  much  wiser.  Let  me  offer  up  prayer  to  God  Almighty, 
who  thus  far  has  protected  me  and  mine,  to  continue  His  gracious 
blessings  on  the  dear  heads  of  my  beloved  family,  and  to  grant  me 
health  and  energy  to  make  them  worthy  disciples  of  Jesus  Christ,  and 
happy  denizens  of  this  our  mortal  state.     Amen. 


267 


1836 

Elstree,  January  1st. — Our  visitors,  except  Frederick  Reynolds,  left 
us.  I  wished  to  detain  Mr.  Browning,  but  had  no  opportunity ;  spoke 
to  Kenney  about  withdrawing  my  name  from  the  Athenaeum,  which  he 
requested  me  not  to  do.     We  parted  in  uncertainty  on  the  subject. 

January  9th. — Mr.  Maton  became  my  companion  at  Edgware,  and 
transferred  my  attention  from  the  written  page  to  that  of  mind  in  the 
example  he  presented  me.  He  was  gratifying  himself  by  telling  me 
of  his  intimacy  (  ?)  with  Kemble ;  ^  that  he  was  a  great  scholar,  a  fine 
Grecian  ("Upon  my  soul,  a  lie!  "),  replete  with  anecdote,  and  a  first- 
rate  mimic  !  !  !  I  listened  to  all,  and  much  more  with  great  complacency. 
Called  on  Maclise,  who  had  sketched  in  the  subject  of  the  picture  of 
Macbeth.  I  did  not  like  it  as  a  whole ;  the  subject  was  cut  in  two ;  the 
group  of  witches  was  admirably  imagined  and  in  itself  a  picture — the 
figure  of  Macbeth  was  superfluous.  He  has  not  poetry  enough  to  grasp 
at  my  idea,  nor  I  art  enough  to  be  sanguine  about  his.  After  much 
discussion  I  yielded  to  his  genius,  which  ought  to  have  its  unbridled 
course.     Sat,  and  to  work  he  went. 

London,  January  11th. — Sat  for  nearly  two  hours  to  Maclise.  I 
have  little  doubt  but  that  as  far  as  the  mechanical  part  of  the  picture 
is  concerned  it  will  be  good,  but  it  will  not  be  what  1  wished  it. 
Called  at  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw  the  newspapers !  Fladgate  and 
Price  urged  me  importunately  to  read  the  postscript  of  the  Age  ;  it  was 
so  brutal,  so  bestial,  so  vilely  blackguard  (a  calumnious  invective  against 
the  Americans  on  the  late  dreadful  accident  at  New  York)  that  I  can 
only  wish  Messrs.  Westmacott  and  Bunn  would  more  frequently  develop 
their  precise  characters  by  such  loathsome  manifestations.  Inquired  of 
Bartley,  etc.,  about  Miss  H.  Faucit's  success;  learned  that  it  was  good, 
but  not  first-rate.  Went  with  Dow  to  Covent  Garden,  saw  Miss 
H.  Faucit  in  the  Hunchback — thought  she  had  force  and  some  intelli- 
gence, but  no  elegance,  little  real  abandonment  and  little  true  pathos — 
occasionally  violent,  flurried  larmoyante  and  almost  always  stagey; 
Kemble  ^  looked  like  an  old  and  faithful  footman — his  shoulders  bend- 
^  Presumably  John  Philip  Kemble.  *  Charles  Kemble. 

268 


1886]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

ing  under  long  service,  nor  did  his  gestures,  attitudes  or  intonations 
betray  the  slightest  variance  with  his  air  and  aspect.  Mr.  Bennett 
was  really  offensive ;  the  whole  play  was  bad — provincial. 

Bristol,  January  18th. — Went  to  rehearsal  at  eleven  o'clock ;  was 
kept  waiting  for  some  time ;  found  things  in  a  decent  state,  but  the 
Lady  Macbeth  bad  beyond  all  former  out-doings — detestable !  Heard 
of  Mr.  Woulds'  ill  success,  and  his  reflections  upon  the  public  from  the 
stage  in  consequence !  Mr.  Denvil,  who  was  my  Macduff  with  a  pair 
of  well-grown  moustaches,  told  me  of  his  having  pitched  Mr.  Elliot, 
a  pantomimist,  from  a  height  of  eighteen  feet,  in  which  the  pitched 
Elliot  gloried  to  that  degree  that  he  even  suffered  pain  from  the 
surmise  that  some  of  the  audience  might  suppose  it  was  a  dummy  that 
was  thrown  I  Now,  what  is  ambition  in  the  pleasure  its  success  conveys  ? 
Was  the  Duke  of  Wellington  more  inwardly  gratified  after  a  victory 
than  this  man  would  be  if  three  or  four  rounds  of  applause  were  to 
follow  him  into  the  black  hole  into  which  Mr.  Denvil  or  any  other 
person  might  pitch  him  ?  Gloria  mundi  !  Proceeded  to  the  theatre. 
The  house  was  very  fair,  and  I  tried  to  act  with  the  millstone  of  Lady 
Macbeth  round  my  neck.  Oh ! — Muses !  I  acted  Macbeth  very 
unequally — some  parts  I  thought  I  did  very  well ;  the  scene  before  the 
banquet  and  the  melancholy  of  the  fifth  act  particularly.  I  should, 
however,  say  that  it  was  not  sustained. 

January  19th. — Acted  Hamlet.  Oh,  how  unlike  my  London  per- 
formances !  The  best  thing  in  the  play  was  the  grave  scene ;  I  played 
it  well,  the  rest  was  effort  and  not  good.  Still  worse,  I  was  morose  and 
ill-tempered.  Fie  !  fie !  shall  I  never  outlive  my  folly  and  my  vice  ?  I 
fear  not. 

January  21st. — Rehearsed  Othello.  Mrs.  D.  Lee,  who  played  Vir- 
ginia last  night,  told  me  *'  how  much  I  had  hurt  her  "  ;  on  asking  where, 
she  said  "her  arms."  '*  Why,  I  do  not  touch  your  arms  with  any 
degree  of  force  through  the  play — scarcely  touch  them  at  all ;  do  you 
remember  the  scene?  "  "I  think  in  the  scene  where  you  rush  on." 
Now  here  is  another  instance  of  the  vileness  of  these  people !  I  never 
touch  her  arms  through  the  play  with  the  remotest  possibility  of  hurting 
her,  but  I  had  occasion  twice  in  the  course  of  the  play  to  remind  her 
of  the  business  she  forgot — hinc  illse  lacrimse  !  Hence  this  trumped-up 
story  I 

January  22nd. — Heard  before  I  went  on  the  stage  that  Mr.  Denvil 
had  been  bled  by  Dr.  Riley  in  the  green-room !  And  yet  for  .£5  he 
was  able  to  play  lago !     I  could  not  have  done  this — I  could  not  have 

269 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1886 

played  lago  so  badly  as  he  did  under  any  circumstances,  but,  under  his 
peculiar  ones,  I  could  not  have  done  it  at  all.  I  acted  a  little  of 
Othello  very  fairly,  but  this  Mr.  Denvil  was  trying  to  get  behind  me 
(for  what  Heaven  only  knows!),  and  very  much  inconvenienced  and 
embarrassed  me. 

London^  January  9.11th. — Was  awoke  by  a  packet  from  Dow,  con- 
taining the  letters  left  at  my  chambers  and  a  note  from  him  requesting 
my  return  in  the  gig  which  conveyed  them.  Went  quickly  to  town, 
but  found  no  note  or  letter  at  my  chambers ;  went  on  to  Dow's,  where 
I  learnt  that  the  Covent  Garden  manager  had  renewed  an  engagement 
with  Mr.  Kemble,^  that  he  had  put  the  hypothetical  question  to  him 
of  performing  with  me,  and  that  his  answer  was,  he  would  play  nothing 
but  first  !  Here  is  an  old  coxcomb,  who  never  yet  was  permitted,  but 
as  a  substitute,  to  appear  in  first  characters,  who  dared  not  act  them 
even  when  manager,  and  now  before  his  four-shilling  audiences  is 
obliged  to  descend  to  such  things  as  Charles  II  and  Sir  Thomas  Clifford, 
talking  about  playing  first  business  with  a  first  artist!  What  a 
wretched  old  coxcomb ! 

January  9>Sth. — Mr.  Cooper  came  to  say  that  they  had  rehearsed 
the  Bridal  that  day,  and  that  Mr.  Bunn  was  ready,  in  compliance  with 
my  agreement,  to  act  it  on  Tuesday  next ;  that  he  himself  thought  it 
a  shocking  play ;  that  Mr.  Warde,  the  pure-minded,  highly  cultivated 
critic,  thought  it  monstrous ;  this  I  endured,  and  waived,  by  observing 
it  was  nothing  to  the  purpose,  the  agreement  was  violated.  I  then 
asked  who  had  been  cast  Aspatia? — Miss  Tree.  Who,  then,  is  to  do 
Evadne  ?  I  declare  I  pause  as  I  write  the  name :  Mrs.  Sloman !  To 
her,  whom  they  would  not  permit  to  play  the  easy  part  of  Emilia  at  my 
suggestion,  as  being  so  bad,  they  give  a  character  that  only  Mrs. 
Siddons  could  realize !  I  said  "  That  is  enough  ;  if  you  were  to  pay  me 
one  or  two  thousand  pounds  for  it,  I  would  not  suffer  it  to  be  so  acted  ; 
but  I  confine  myself  to  the  legal  objection,  and  on  the  violated  contract 
I  demand  compensation."  Mr.  Cooper  said  :  "  I  am  instructed  to  offer 
£38  6s.  8d.  and  to  withdraw  the  play."  I  observed  that  the  same  offer 
had  been  made  by  Mr.  Yates,  which  I  had  treated  with  the  same 
indignant  contempt.  "Well,  then,"  said  Mr.  Cooper,  "I  am  now 
desired  to  ask  you  upon  whose  authority  you  went  to  Bristol."  I  now 
lost  all  temper.  I  answered  :  "  Upon  my  own !  "  and  that  the  question 
was  a  gross  impertinence.  Mr.  Cooper  proceeded  to  state  that  he 
thought  it  was  not  justifiable  on  former  usage,  and  I  replied  it  was. 

1  Charles  Kemble. 
270 


1836]  THE  DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

Dow  entered,  and  he  observed  that  I  was  ready  to  perform,  if  required, 
in  London,  and  that  my  Bristol  engagement  was  made  dependent  on  and 
subject  to  that  of  Drury  Lane.  In  the  course  of  our  conversation  he 
had  said  that  Miss  Ellen  Tree  would  have  flung  the  part  of  Evadne  in 
his  face  if  it  had  been  offered  to  her.  I  observed :  "  She  would  not 
have  flung  it  in  mine." — "Oh  yes,"  he  said,  "she  would."  This 
question  I  shall  ask  Miss  Tree.  This  disgusting  and  servile  booby  at 
length  left  us — if  ever  a  man  answered  to  the  description  of  the  moral 
being  of  an  individual,  as  sketched  by  a  poet's  pencil,  go,  Mr.  Cooper, 
into  the  hide  of  Austria  in  the  play  of  King  John,  and  find  your  own 
fitting  in  the  dulness,  conceit,  falsehood,  treachery  and  cowardice  of  the 
Viscount  Limoges.  After  dinner  I  wrote  notes — statements — to  Mr. 
Bunn,  and  one  to  Mr.  Cooper,  desiring  him  to  confine  himself  to  the 
duties  of  his  ofiice;  my  time  was  wasted  so  far  as  the  notes  were 
concerned,  but  the  agitation  of  the  question  brought  my  mind  to  the 
discovery  of  the  better  course,  which  was  that  of  remaining  tranquil 
and  awaiting  the  movement  of  Messrs.  Bunn  &  Co.  I  was  pleased  as 
I  meditated  on  it,  in  clearly  seeing  that  it  was  the  proper  judgment. 
Looked  over  my  engagement,  by  which  I  think  Mr.  Bunn  has  no 
pretence  for  touching  my  salary — none.  Wrote  to  Dow,  copying  out 
the  necessary  clauses  and  making  the  letter  into  a  parcel  for  him.  The 
difficulty  I  have  had  in  restraining  my  temper,  and  the  licence  I  have 
permitted  it,  are  the  causes  of  my  own  disquiet,  and  of  my  not  having 
more  triumphantly  exposed  and  discomfited  this  base  and  bad  man's 
attempts  to  cheat  me ;  with  the  recollection  of  what  I  lost  hy  the  loss 
of  temper  in  combating  the  fraud  of  Kemble,^  I  ought  to  show  more 
conduct.  How  bitterly  do  I  quarrel  with  and  reproach  myself  for  my 
want  of  self-control  and  mastery  over  my  passions.  God  Almighty 
assist  me  in  my  endeavours  to  amend.     Amen  1 

Elstree,  January  29th. — ^The  midday  post  brought  a  letter  from 
Cooper,  wishing  to  know  when  I  could  be  ready  in  the  Provost  of 
Bruges.  I  answered  that  I  had  long  since  applied  for  subjects  of 
study  and  had  received  no  answer,  that  I  had  laid  aside  the  Provost 
of  Bruges  f  and  could  not  immediately  state  when  I  should  be  ready, 
in  two  or  three  days  I  might  be  able  to  do  so.  I  added  that,  having 
found  that  my  last  week's  salary  had  not  been  paid,  I  desired  it  might 
be  immediately.  After  dinner  Dow  arrived,  having  come  through  one 
continued  storm  of  sleet  and  rain  and  snow  from  London ;  he  came  to 

^  This  grievance  ag;ainst   Kemble,  which  rankled  so  sorely,  arose  during   Macready's 
engagement  at  Covent  Garden  Theatre  in  1822,  when  under  Kemble's  management. 

271 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1886 

inform  me  that  he  had  no  doubt  whatever  upon  the  agreement,  but 
that  to  confirm  his  own  opinion  he  had  gone  down  to  Westminster  and 
submitted  it  to  Talfourd,  who  quite  concurred  with  him  that  Mr.  Bunn 
was  not  justified  upon  that  agreement  in  refusing  to  pay  any  part  of  my 
year's  salary.  Dow  is  certainly  one  of  those  men  who  would  go  through 
fire  and  water  to  serve  me ;  he  has  made  his  way  through  the  latter 
almost  this  evening,  and  is  certainly  entitled  to  my  grateful 
remembrance. 

January  SOth. — Received  a  call  for  the  rehearsal  of  the  Provost  of 
Bruges  on  Monday  next.  Resolved  not  to  attend  the  rehearsal  unless 
my  salary  was  duly  paid.  Read  over  the  part  of  Bertulphe,  of  which 
I  do  not  entertain  very  sanguine  hopes,  it  is  too  sketchy  and  skeleton 
like ;  there  is  a  want  of  substance  and  strength  in  the  thoughts,  which 
are  thin  and  poor ;  its  situation  is  all  its  'actual  power.  If  it  be 
successful  it  will  owe  much  to  the  acting. 

January  81st. — Found  no  announcement  beyond  Tuesday  in  the 
newspaper,  which  offered  little  beyond  a  very  fulsome  and  false  notice 
of  Kemble  in  Jafiler — to  any  person  of  the  least  taste  or  discrimination, 
a  thoroughly  offensive  performance. 

London,  February  1st. — On  my  arrival  at  chambers  I  found  a  note 
from  Cooper  informing  me  that  *  I  had  violated  my  engagement  in 
going  to  Bristol,  and,  in  consequence,  Mr.  Bunn  had  stopped  a  week 
and  a  half  of  my  salary ;  but  that  if  I  chose  to  give  my  best  services 
to  the  theatre  in  a  more  harmonious  way  than  of  late,  Mr.  Bunn  would 
be  very  happy  to  remit  the  stoppage.'  To  which  I  immediately 
answered — receiving  a  note  from  good  old  Dow,  with  a  play-bill  con- 
taining an  announcement  of  myself  for  Othello  and  Werner,  that 
instantly  decided  me — that  '  my  engagement,  in  the  opinion  of  an 
eminent  special  pleader  and  a  leading  barrister,  did  not  allow  of  Mr. 
Bunn's  deduction ;  that  if  he  did  not  intimate  to  me  that  my  demands 
were  paid,  I  should  at  once  close  the  correspondence ;  that  I  should 
wait  in  town  till  three  o'clock.'  Forster  sent  in  some  notes,  wishing 
to  see  me,  and,  calling  on  him,  I  saw  Browning ;  sat  with  them  for 
some  time,  when  Dow,  to  whom  I  had  sent  Healey  with  the  intimation 
of  my  arrival,  came  in.  We  did  not  stay  long,  and,  adjourning  to 
my  chambers,  I  told  him  what  I  had  done,  and  of  my  resolution  to 
quit  the  theatre  if  not  paid.  He  agreed  in  the  propriety  of  the  step 
and  would  have  gone  further,  but  as  I  told  him,  in  Bacon's  words, 
"A  man  who  has  a  wife  and  children,  has  given  hostages  to  fortune." 
Forster  was  talking  much  of  Browning,  who  is  his  present  all-in-all. 
272 


"^'^ 


WILLIAM    CHARLES    MACREADY 

(1835) 

From  the  painting  by  Daniel  MacHte,  R.A.,  in  the  collection  of  Mnjor-Geiteml  C.  F.  N. 
Macrewly,  V.B. 


1886]  THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Mr.  Cooper  called.  He  said  it  seemed  the  dispute  was  only  about  terms 
of  speech  ;  that  he  had  signified  Mr.  Bunn's  willingness  to  pay  the 
money  due ;  and  that  he  supposed,  of  course,  I  should  give  him  my 
best  services.  I  distinctly  stated  that  it  was  merely  a  question  of 
whether  my  salary,  according  to  my  engagement,  was  or  was  not  paid, 
without  any  other  consideration  ;  if  paid  I  should  go  to  the  theatre, 
if  not,  I  should  end  my  engagement.  He  complained  of  being  obliged 
to  do  '*  Mr.  Bunn's  dirty  work  " — which  I  thought  to  myself  he  might 
very  well  avoid.  The  beginning,  as  the  end,  of  our  conversation  was 
this,  that  I  would  not  answer  his  note,  but  stood  upon  my  legal  claim, 
which  he  promised  should  be  answered,  and  I  told  him  I  should  go  to 
rehearsal  to-morrow. 

February  Srd. — Rehearsed  the  women's  scenes  of  Othello;  in  sug- 
gesting two  or  three  things  to  Miss  E.  Tree,  she  begged  me  not  to 
demur  at  giving  her  any  information ;  but  my  disgust  at  witnessing 
the  impertinent  forwardness  of  Mr.  Vandenhoff  tutoring  persons  capable 
of  teaching  him  made  me  tender  of  hazarding  my  own  opinions.  I 
did  not  feel  at  home,  but  felt  resolved  to  do  my  best.  Mr.  C.  Buller 
called  and  sat  for  some  time ;  we  talked  of  the  theatre  and  the  House 
of  Commons.  I  promised  to  give  him  my  best  assistance  in  mastering 
a  weakness  in  his  voice ;  I  like  him  very  much.  Lay  down  in  bed,  and 
thought  to  the  best  of  my  power  on  my  night's  character.  I  began 
Othello  with  resolution,  which  was  confirmed  by  the  kind  reception  of 
the  audience ;  but  I  found  myself  a  little  disconcerted  by  the  strange- 
ness of  the  theatre  during  the  apology  to  the  Senate,  in  which  my  back 
is  turned  to  the  audience.  I  recovered  myself,  and  threw  myself  more 
into  the  character  than  I  think  I  had  previously  done.  I  was  called 
for  by  the  audience,  but  this,  if  a  compliment,  was  certainly  much 
reduced  in  value  by  Mr.  Vandenhoff  receiving  the  same  for  playing  lago 
like  a  great,  creeping,  cunning  cat.  Grimalkin  would  be  a  better 
name  for  his  part  than  the  "honest  fellow,"  the  "bold  lago."  Mr. 
Westmacott  was  in  the  green-room,  and  I  was  indiscreet  enough  (having 
drunk  some  wine)  to  show  my  contempt  for  him  in  a  manner  not  to 
be  mistaken ;  he  half  bowed  to  me,  and  I  turned  my  back  upon  him 
with  the  word  "beast"  quite  loud  enough  for  him  to  hear.  This, 
though  provoked,  had  been  better  omitted.  What  can  I  do  against 
a  repetition  of  his  insults?  Forster,  Browning  and  a  M.  Fontenai  came 
into  my  room ;  the  two  last  seemed  much  delighted. 

February  4t7i. — I  looked  in  the  newspapers  to  see  if  any  notice  was 
taken  of  last  night — being  the  first  representation  of  the  drama  for 

VOL.  I.  T  273 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

three  months,  but  the  only  criticism  was  of  a  piece  at  the  Adelphi ! 
This  is  not  the  way  to  draw  attention  or  rekindle  an  interest  for  the 
regular  drama.  Went  to  the  rehearsal  of  Provost  of  Bruges.  Heard 
of  the  insulting  behaviour  of  some  friend  of  Mr.  Bunn's  to  Miss  Healey, 
for  which  he  was,  maugre  Mr.  Cooper's  reluctance,  turned  out  of  the 
green-room.     Saw  and  talked  with  Planche. 

February  6th. — I  called  at  the  Garrick  Club  and  looked  at  the 
newspapers.  Saw  a  notice  put  up  by  the  Committee  respecting  the 
invitation  of  strangers  which  I  think,  without  exception,  the  most 
impertinent  and  insulting  that  ever  was  put  up  by  a  few  individuals 
in  dictation  to  a  body  of  (implied)  gentlemen.  Not  an  idle  day,  but 
in  it  I  have  given  way  to  angry  thoughts  upon  a  very  trifling  subject, 
viz.  the  act  of  the  Garrick  Club  Committee,  which  I  believe  to  be  aimed 
at  myself,  with  others.  But  if  so,  why  should  I  vex  myself  about  the 
proceedings  of  the  members  of  that  body,  whose  utmost  spite  only 
leaves  rae  where  I  am  ?     Let  it  pass. 

February  Ith. — Dow  called  and  informed  me  of  the  wretch  West- 
macott's  abuse  of  me  in  the  Age:  "that  an  automaton  might  be  made 
to  play  Othello  as  well ;  that  it  was  very  cold,  that  the  new  play  would 
probably  fail,  and  that  Virginius  was  melodrama,  etc.,  also  that  Mr. 
Vandenhoff's  lago  was  the  best  since  Cooke !  "  I  had  at  least  the 
sense  to  feel  no  anger  at  all  this  nonsense. 

February  9th. — Went  to  rehearsal  of  Provost  of  Bruges,  which 
was  long  and  heavy.  Of  all  the  thick-headed  men  that  ever  were 
placed  in  so  responsible  a  situation  none  was  ever  less  qualified  than 
Mr.  Cooper  for  acting-manager.  The  lowest  performers  despise  him 
for  his  incapacity  and  his  want  of  manner.  Read  over  the  part  of 
Bertulphe,  and  then  went,  as  a  brief  relaxation,  to  dine  at  the  Garrick 
Club,  posting  my  letters  on  the  way.  Hayward  asked  me  to  his  table, 
and  I  dined  there,  listening  to  his  lamentations  on  the  peccadilloes  of 
his  friends,  and  much  amused  with  them.  Went  over  the  part  of 
Bertulphe,  trying  some  parts,  but  feeling  the  scandalous  conduct  of 
Mr.  Bunn  in  allowing  so  few  rehearsals  to  a  play  which  may  be  perhaps 
lost  by  his  behaviour.  I  am  quite  uncertain  of  the  play,  and  am 
certain  of  my  own  very  crude  and  unpractised  conception  of  my  own 
character. 

February  10th. — Went  to  rehearsal  {Provost  of  Bruges),  sparing 

myself  as  much  as  I  could.     In  the  wardrobe  was  told  that  Mr.  Bunn 

would  not  find  me  pantaloons,  and  I  was  resolved  to  purchase  none ; 

was  very  angry  and  therefore  very  blamable.     Received  a  note  from 

274 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Sally  Booth, ^  requesting  orders ;  but  seeing  Bunn  in  the  theatre  I  could 
not  permit  myself  to  ask  for  any.  Wrote  a  note  to  Sally  Booth  and 
to  Pemberton  excusing  myself  from  giving  the  admissions  requested. 
Lay  down  after  looking  out  what  was  needed  for  the  evening,  and 
thought  carefully  over  the  latter  scenes  of  the  play.  Went  to  the 
theatre  very  tranquil  in  spirits,  but  was  slightly  disconcerted  by  the 
very  culpable  negligence  of  my  dresser.  Resolved  to  take  no  wine 
before  I  went  on  and  to  trust  to  my  spirits  to  bear  me  up  until  fatigue 
came  on.  Misjudged  in  doing  so ;  my  nervousness,  from  want  of  due 
preparation,  was  so  great  as  to  mar  my  efforts  in  the  first  scene,  which, 
in  spite  of  my  best  attempts  at  self-possession,  was  hurried  and  char- 
acterless. Gulped  down  a  draught  of  wine,  and,  growing  more  steady 
from  scene  to  scene,  increased  in  power  and  effect ;  but  it  was  a  hasty, 
unprepared  performance,  the  power  of  which  was  mainly  derived  from 
the  moment's  inspiration.  The  applause  was  enthusiastic,  and  I  was 
obliged,  after  long  delay,  to  go  before  the  audience.  Dow,  Cattermole, 
Forster,  Browning  and  Talfourd  came  into  my  room  and  expressed 
themselves  greatly  pleased  with  my  performance,  but  did  not  highly 
estimate  the  play.  As  the  others  left  me,  I  very  thoughtlessly  asked 
Talfourd  if  he  would  sup  at  the  Garrick  Club.  I  had  already  taken 
too  much  wine,  and,  as  usual,  one  fault  is  the  parent  of  another. 
Forster  was  seated  in  the  coffee-room,  and  pressed  us,  somewhat  loth, 
to  his  table.  I  talked  very  loud,  very  freely,  and  in  both  respects  very 
foolishly  of  the  conduct  of  the  Committee,  who  so  shamefully,  in  my 
opinion,  mal-administered  the  affairs  of  the  Club ;  but  I  am  not  suf- 
ficiently independent  in  circumstances  to  run  the  hazard  of  making 
enemies,  and,  even  were  I  more  so  than  I  am,  what  benefit  do  I  reap 
by  exciting  hostility?  I  recalled  two  or  three  times  to-night  in  the 
play  the  claims  of  my  children  on  my  exertions  as  a  stimulant  to  me ; 
I  should  also  think  of  them  as  a  check  to  my  intemperance  of  disposition 
and  great  imprudence.  Dowling,  Raymond,  Browne,  Colonel  Stan- 
hope * — at  whom  I  spoke,  very^  very  foolishly,  were  there.  Drank 
beyond  reason  and  went  to  chambers  at  a  very  late  hour. 

February  11th, — A  violent  headache  and  enfeebled,  nauseated 
stomach  kept  me,  malgrS  moi,  in  bed.  Forster  called  with  Mr.  Macrone 
for  the  MS.  of  the  Provost  of  Bruges;  he,  Mr.  Macrone,  had  agreed 
to  publish  it  on  the  terms  of  half  the  profits,  the  right  of  disposing  of 
the  copyright  remaining  with  the  author,   and  a  certain  number  of 

^  Sarah  Booth  (1793-1857) ;  played  at  Surrey  and  Covent  Garden  theatres. 
*  The  alleged  "black-baller"  of  Macready's  candidate,  Greaves. 
T  2  27c 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

copies  being  stipulated  for.  A  note  of  grateful  thanks  from  Mr. 
Lovell ;  ^  a  note  left  by  Greaves ;  one  from  Power ;  card  from  Bourne. 
Forster  brought  me  the  notices  of  the  newspapers,  which  were  all  highly 
commendatory ;  the  writer  of  the  Times  is,  I  think,  acquainted  with 
Mr.  Bunn.  Note  from  Mr.  Bunn — an  evidence  that  the  man  cannot 
speak  or  write  his  own  language.  It  is,  apparently,  an  attempt  to 
re-establish  a  conununication  with  me,  and  to  worm  out  of  me  the 
name  of  the  author. 

February  19,th. — Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  saw  Mr.  Cooper, 
Miss  E.  Tree,  and  delivered  the  thanks  of  the  author  to  them.  Saw 
Mr.  Bunn,  who  wished  me  to  read  Basil  ^  and  Marino  Faliero  and  decide 
between  them.  He  observed  that  the  success  of  these  pieces  depended 
much  on  the  nomenclature  of  the  authors.  This  is  a  specimen  of  Mr. 
Bunn's  language — or  rather  misuse  of  it. 

February  IQth. — Kenney  resisted  my  earnest  request  that  he  would 
take  my  name  off  the  Atheneeum  list,  observing  that  it  would  seem 
(though  in  fact  not  so)  presumptuous  in  me  to  have  expected  an 
extraordinary  election.  I  agreed  with  him,  and  allowed  my  name  to 
remain,  but  I  do  not  think  I  will  allow  it  to  go  to  the  ballot.  Bartley 
continued  his  walk  with  me  to  Westminster,  where  he  left  me,  and 
I  called  on  the  Bullers.  Sat  some  time  with  them,  and  appointed 
Wednesday  morning  for  Mr.  C.  Buller  to  call.  Read  what  I  could 
of  Bertulphe,  but,  having  acted  it  without  due  preparation,  I  shall 
never  make  it  worth  anything  as  a  piece  of  art.    I  acted  it  but  passably. 

February  15th. — A  note  from  Forster  enclosing  the  Spectator's 
criticism  on  myself  in  Bertulphe,  which  says,  '*  Perhaps  it  is  my 
greatest  "  character.  I  should  say  among  my  least — my  real  opinion. 
Read  the  newspaper ;  am  very  anxious  to  play  well  to-night.  Went 
to  bed  a  little  before  two  o'clock — anxious  to  keep  my  mind  upon 
Othello ;  thought  and  read  the  part.  Went  to  the  theatre ;  but  pre- 
viously saw  a  notice  of  Mr.  C.  Kean's  "great  "  success  at  Bath,  and 
at  the  theatre  received  a  letter  from  Clarke,  putting  an  end  to  the 
Manchester  engagement.  These  were  circumstances,  with  the  absence 
and  drunkenness  of  my  dresser,  not  likely  to  improve  my  spirits ;  but 
I  do  not  wish  to  excuse  myself.  Othello  I  acted  wretchedly ;  I  could 
not  abandon  myself.  I  could  have  rushed  out  of  the  theatre.  With 
all  the  desire  to  make  my  profession  a  means  of  benefit  to  my  children, 

^  Author  of  the  Provost  of  Bruges. 

2  By  Joanna  BaiHie  (1762-1851),  the  well-known  authoress  ;  her  first  play,  De  Montfort, 
had  the  distinction  of  being  produced  by  J.  P.  Kemble  ajud  Mrs.  Si'ldons  in  1800. 
276 


1836]  THE  ^DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

I  am  perpetually  tortured  by  my  inability  to  realize  my  intentions. 
Wallace,  Forster  and  Mr.  C.  Hall  ^  came  into  my  room,  and  Dow,  with 
a  familiarity  on  the  stage  that  very  much  annoyed  me.  Forster  walked 
to  chambers  and  took  tea  with  me,  reading  to  me  passages  from  a  poem 
by  Browning. 

February  16th. — Forster  and  Browning  called,  and  talked  over  the 
plot  of  a  tragedy  which  Browning  had  begun  to  think  of :  the  subject, 
Narses.  He  said  that  I  had  bit  him  by  my  performance  of  Othello, 
and  I  told  him  I  hoped  I  should  make  the  blood  come.  It  would  indeed 
be  some  recompense  for  the  miseries,  the  humiliations,  the  heart- 
sickening  disgusts  which  I  have  endured  in  my  profession  if,  by  its 
exercise,  I  had  awakened  a  spirit  of  poetry  whose  influence  would 
elevate,  ennoble,  and  adorn  our  degraded  drama.  May  it  be !  Acted 
Bertulphe  better  than  the  two  preceding  nights.  Looked  through  the 
leaves  of  the  play  in  a  book  wet  from  the  press.  The  author  has  said 
all  in  his  power  to  express  his  gratitude  to  me.  I  did  more  for  Mr. 
Procter  and  nearly  as  much  for  Miss  Mitford.  The  first  requited  me 
by  slight  and  avoidance ;  the  latter  by  libel  and  serious  injury. 

February  llth. — Dear  Edward  born.^  I  return  my  devout  and 
himible  but  fervent  thanks  from  my  heart  of  heart  to  my  Merciful  God 
for  the  happy  birth  of  a  son,  and  for  the  comfortable  state  of  his 
blessed  and  beloved  mother.  I  pray  the  continual  blessing  of  the 
Almighty  God  upon  his  head,  and  that  he  may  in  health  of  mind  and 
body  grow  up  to  His  honour,  and  in  an  undeviating  course  of  virtue ; 
on  his  dear  mother  I  invoke  all  the  best  blessings  and  mercies  of 
Almighty  God,  and  upon  the  heads  of  my  darling  children  I  supplicate 
the  constant  manifestation  of  His  grace  and  mercy.  Amen  !  Amen  ! 
Amen  I  Read  Joanna  Baillie's  play  of  Basil,  which  I  think  can 
scarcely  be  made  pathetic  enough  for  representation  ;  there  is  a  stiffness 
in  her  style,  a  want  of  appropriateness  and  peculiarity  of  expression 
distinguishing  each  person,  that  I  cannot  overcome  in  reading  her  plays  : 
it  is  a  sort  of  brocaded  style,  a  thick  kind  of  silk,  that  has  no  fall  or 
play — it  is  not  the  flexibility  of  nature. 

February  19th. — Mr.  C.  Buller  called  and  sat  for  about  an  hour 

^  Samuel  Carter  Hall  (1800-1889) ;  well  known  as  an  author  and  journalist ;  began  his 
career  as  literary  secretary  to  Ugo  Foscolo,  and  by  reporting  in  the  House  of  Lords. 

*  Edward  Nevil  Bourne  Macready ;  educated  at  Westminster,  Sherborne,  and  Addis- 
combe.  Joined  the  Indian  Army,  but  soon  resigned  his  commission  and  became  a  *'  rolling 
stone,"  finally  trying  the  stage  but  with  little  success.  Of  a  bright,  attractive  disposition 
he  lacked  "  ballast,"  and  became  a  source  of  much  trouble  and  disappointment  to  his  father 
in  aftcir  years. 

277 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

and  a  half,  talking  and  reading.  I  hope  I  shall  be  able  to  improve  him 
in  his  mode  of  speaking. 

February  ^Oth. — Forster  called  at  my  chambers  and  took  tea.  I 
remonstrated  with  him  again  on  his  intention  to  cut  up  the  Provost. 
Note  from  Bunn,  stating  his  inability  to  continue  the  performance  of 
the  Provost  if  the  terms  were  not  moderated.  Note  to  Cooper,  and 
enclosed  Bunn's  letter  to  Mr.  Lovell. 

February  22nd. — Mr.  Norton  was  my  coach-companion,  who  amused 

me  with  stories  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  C ,  rector  of  S ,  which  not 

only  proved  him  to  be  what  Mr.  Norton  stated — "  devoid  of  all  moral 
perceptions,"  but  a  very  great  scoundrel — i.  e.  a  liar  for  the  very 
basest  purposes.  I  was  shocked  to  hear  of  his  rapacious  seizure  of  the 
money  found  by  his  coachman,  who  is  now  suing  him  for  the  same. 
These  are  the  ministers  of  Christ's  Gospel !  !  !  Read  the  Times ; 
Disraeli's  farrago  under  the  signature  of  Runnymede.^  I  acted  but 
indifferently,  and  was  made,  unwillingly,  worse  by  the  wretched  acting 
of  Cooper  and  others  about  me.  A  woman  seems  nightly  very  intent 
on  attracting  my  notice. 

February  23rd. — C.  Buller  called,  very  much  beyond  his  time,  and 
excused  himself  by  stating  that  he  had  been  detained  in  cramming 
O'Connell  for  a  speech  on  the  Orange  Society  question.  He  stayed  with 
me  above  an  hour  and  a  half,  during  which  I  gave  him  what  ought  to 
prove  valuable  instruction.  Appointed  to  dine  with  and  accompany  him 
to  the  House  on  Thursday.  Called  on  Bulwer,  whom  I  found  in  very 
handsome  chambers  in  the  Albany,  dressed,  or  rather  dishabilU,  in  the 
most  lamentable  style  of  foppery — a  hookah  in  his  mouth,  his  hair, 
whiskers,  tuft,  etc.,  all  grievously  cared  for.  I  felt  deep  regret 
to  see  a  man  of  such  noble  and  profound  thought  yield  for  a  moment 
to  pettiness  so  unworthy  of  him.  His  manner  was  frank,  manly  and 
cordial  in  the  extreme — so  contradictory  of  his  appearance.^  He  told 
me,  after  talking  about  the  Provost  of  Bruges  and  recalling  our  con- 
versation in  Dublin,  that  he  had  written  a  play ;  that  he  did  not  know 
whether  I  might  think  the  part  intended  for  me  worthy  of  my  powers, 
for  that  inevitably  the  weight  of  the  action  fell  upon  the  woman ;  that 
the  subject  was  La  Valli^re.     He  handed  me  a  paper  in  which  I  read 

*  Disraeli's  Runnymede  Letters ;  ambitious  but  not  very  successful  ventures  in  satire 
by  which  he  sought  to  make  himself  conspicuous  as  a  political  litterateur, 

^  Bulwer's  cUshabilU  was  also  ridiculed  by  Thackeray,  who  disliked  him  only  less  than 
he  did  Disraeli.     He  satirized  both  mercilessly  ;  Bulwer  does  not  appear  to  have  retaliated, 
but  Disraeli  repaid  Codlingsby  with  the  accumulated  venom  of  nearly  forty  years  in  his  last 
novel,  Endymion,  where  Thackeray  figures  repellently  as  St.  Barbe. 
278 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

that  it  was  dedicated  to  myself.  It  almost  affected  me  to  tears.  I 
could  not  read  it.  He  wished  me  to  read  the  play,  give  my  opinion, 
and  that  he  would  make  any  alterations  I  might  suggest.  I  appointed 
to  see  him  to-morrow.  Acted  Bertulphe  pretty  well,  though  much 
disconcerted  by  the  din  of  carpenters.  Talfourd  came  into  my  room  ; 
told  me  of  Sheil's  reason  for  voting  in  favour  of  Buckingham's  ^  com- 
pensation "  to  prevent  him,  as  being  an  M.P.,  from  going  about  the 
country  to  lecture  at  so  much  per  head,  and  children  at  half-price.  Tal- 
fourd, concurring  in  the  propriety  of  the  reason,  voted  for  him  also. 
Found  at  my  chambers  Bulwer's  play.  Read  it.  What  talent  he 
possesses !     I  must  read  it  again. 

February  24t/t. — Received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Lovell,  offering  to 
have  his  play  acted  for  nothing  rather  than  let  it  be  stopped,  which 
from  the  appearance  of  the  play-bills  seems  intended.  Letter  from 
Mr.  Woulds,  wishing  me  to  go  to  Bath  the  week  of  the  7th  March ! 
Wrote  a  note  of  excuse  to  Bulwer,  deferring  my  visit  till  to-morrow. 
Forster  called ;  told  me  of  his  father's  expected  death.  He  did  not 
seem  much  distressed.  Read,  or  rather  looked  over,  the  newspaper. 
Wrote  to  Mr.  Woulds,  assenting  to  his  proposal ;  to  Mr.  Lovell,  send- 
ing him  the  books  which  Mr.  Macrone  had  brought  me.  Saw  Bunn 
and  spoke  to  him  about  Mr.  Lovell's  desire  that  the  play  should  be 
acted  gratuitously  rather  than  withdrawn  ;  also  spoke  to  him,  without 
mentioning  the  author's  name,  of  Bulwer's  play,  and  asked  him  what 
remuneration  he  would  offer.  Would  he  give  £100 — 8rd,  6th,  9th, 
16th  and  25th  nights?  He  said  "Yes."  Read  very  attentively  over 
the  play  of  La  Valliere,  and  made  my  notes  upon  what  I  thought  it 
needed. 

February  9,5th. — Mr.  Lovell  called  and  gave  me  a  presentation 
copy ;  expressed  himself  satisfied  with  all  I  had  done.  Forster  called 
and  I  entreated  him  not  to  notice  the  Provost  of  Bruges  on  Sunday ;  it 
would  be  dealing  a  death-blow  upon  it.  He  seemed  to  yield  to  my 
solicitations.  Sent  the  MS.  of  La  Valliere  to  Bulwer  with  a  message 
that  I  would  call  almost  immediately.  Received  a  parcel — another 
play — from  Mr.  Wightwick  of  Plymouth.^  I  could  have  dispensed 
with  it,  but  he  cherishes  kindly  feelings  towards  me  and  is  entitled  to 
my  best  oflRces.     Called  on  Bulwer  (shopping  on  the  way)  and  found 

1  James  Silk  Buckingham  ( 1 786- 1 855) ;  M.  P.  and  public  lecturer.  He  had  been  exp)elled 
from  India  some  years  before  for  attacking  the  Tory  Government  of  the  day,  and  it  was, 
probably,  in  respect  of  this  incident  that  he  had  claimed  and  received  compensation. 

*  An  accomplished  architect,  who  became  one  of  Macready's  most  intimate  friends. 

279 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

him  less  carefully  set  up  than  on  my  former  visit.  We  talked  over  the 
play,  and  I  mentioned  my  objections,  at  the  same  time  suggesting 
some  remedies.  He  yielded  to  all  readily  except  the  fifth  act ;  upon 
that  he  seemed  inclined  to  do  battle,  but  at  length  I  understood  him 
to  yield.  We  talked  over  terms.  He  was  not  satisfied  with  Bunn's 
proposal,  but  added  to  that  £200  down,  and  to  be  paid  through  the 
two  following  seasons  £5  per  night,  after  which  the  copyright  to  revert 
to  him.  This  is  rather  a  hard  bargain ;  I  do  not  think  Bunn  will 
concede  so  much.  He  wished  me  to  write  my  remarks  and  send  them 
to  him,  for  which  purpose  he  would  return  me  the  MS.  Took  a  cab 
to  Buller's ;  he  had  not  come  in,  so  that  I  might  have  spared  my  haste. 
Looked  at  the  paper.  Dined  with  Mrs.  BuUer  and  the  two  young  men. 
Went  to  the  House  of  Commons ;  sat  under  the  gallery.  Heard  Lord 
Francis  Egerton  ^  talking  as  loudly  as  he  could  for  nearly  half-an-hour, 
and  now  and  then  caught  the  word  "paper,"  about  the  manufacture 
of  which  he  was  speaking  to  himself.  Some  words  passed  also  on  the 
subject  of  railways.  Mr.  Lennard  moved  for  a  return  of  the  corporal 
punishments  in  the  Army  since  1830.  Captain  Ferguson,  O'Connell, 
Major  Beauclerk,  Hume,  Colonel  Thompson,  General  Parry,  very  badly, 
and  Wakley  ^  best  of  all,  spoke  for  it.  Two  very  great  blockheads. 
General  Sharpe  and  Colonel  Sibthorp  ^  against  it,  and  for  the  con- 
tinuance of  flogging !  C.  Buller  made  his  motion  for  a  Committee  to 
inquire  into  Election  Committees,  in  a  speech  which  he  began  admirably, 
but,  having  got  the  ear  of  the  House,  he  relaxed  his  care  and  energy 
and  nearly  lost  it.  He  became  indistinct  and  flippant,  wanted  arrange- 
ment, and  the  recapitulation  of  cases  (the  evidence  of  the  necessity  of 
alteration  in  the  law)  should  have  been  well  prepared — rapidly,  clearly 
and  succinctly,  though  forcibly,  passed  in  review — and  a  greater  solidity 
of  manner  generally  preserved,   which   would  have  made  his  playful 

*  Lord  Francis  Egerton  (1800-1857)  afterwards  first  Earl  of  Ellesmere  ;  author  and 
politician ;  one  of  the  most  enlightened  members  of  the  Whig  party,  also  an  accomplished 
litterateur  and  art  patron.  Fanny  Kemble,  of  whose  acting  he  had  a  high  opinion,  owed 
much  to  his  generous  encouragement  both  professionally  and  socially. 

*  Thomas  Wakley  (i  795-1862)  M.P.  for  Finsbury ;  founder  of  the  Lancet ;  coroner  for 
West  Middlesex  from  1839  till  his  death.  He  was  concerned  in  an  action  against  a  Fire 
Insurance  Company  which  was  the  occasion  of  a  pungent  witticism  of  Shell.  This  company 
had  refused  to  pay  under  the  policy,  considering  the  circumstances  of  the  fire  suspicious. 
Shortly  afterwards  an  M.P.  commenting  on  W'akley's  maiden  speech  in  the  House  added  : 
"He  certainly  won't  set  the  Thames  on  fire."  "No,"  rejoined  Sheil,  "not  unless  he  has 
insured  it  I " 

*  Colonel  Charles  de  Laet  Waldo  Sibthorp  (i 783-1 855) ;  well-known  as  the  ultra-Tory 
M.P.  for  Lincoln.  He  was  a  violent  opposer  of  every  innovation,  and  regarded  all  foreigners 
as  scoundrels,  characteristics  which  procured  for  him  the  constant  attentions  of  Mr.  Punch. 

280 


1836]  THE    DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

observations  tell  with  more  effect.  The  speech  should  have  been 
modelled,  and  it  would  have  been  much  more  successful  than  it  was, 
with  all  the  success  it  actually  obtained.  With  a  little  care  he  will 
speak  very  well  indeed.  Saw,  but  not  to  speak  with  them,  Sheil  and 
H.  Twiss  in  the  House.  C.  Wynne, ^  who  spoke  loud  and  long,  with 
not  ione  word  distinguishable,  tired  me  out,  and  I  came  away  with 
Arthur  Buller.  Looked  over  Mr.  Tyrone  ( !)  Power's  book  (!)  on 
America.  I  cannot  pass  any  criticism  upon  it.  He  has  the  impudence 
to  put  Latin  words  in  it  (for  his  knowledge  of  Latin,  consult  Mr.  Bunn 
on  his  pronunciation  of  the  words  vivd  voce),  and  prints  for  "de 
mortuis  nil  nisi  bonum,"  "  nisi  justem.'*  Shook  hands  with  Cattermole 
in  the  square,  who  introduced  me  to  Mr.  Stone. ^ 

To  Elstree,  February  ^6th. — Read  in  the  Times  the  report  of  last 
night's  debate,  and  of  the  failure  of  Miss  Baillie's  play  of  Separation ; 
"Unfortunate  Miss  Baillie  1  "^  Sent  for  a  play-bill,  and  found  that 
Mr.  Bunn  had  announced  four  nights  without  the  Provost;  his  inten- 
tion is  manifest,  for,  however  bad  it  may  be,  it  must  be  better  than 
the  Provoked  Husband  for  Tuesday  next. 

February  Stltli. — Read  the  two  last  acts  of  Ion,  which,  if  I  had 
personal  advantages,  I  am  confident  I  could  make  effective  in  perform- 
ance. Read  some  scenes  of  Othello.  Continued  and  finished  ha 
Valli^re,  which  perplexes  me  to  decide  on  in  reference  to  its  effect  in 
representation ;  its  story  runs  so  smoothly  on  in  the  reading  that, 
though  I  have  misgivings  of  some  scenes,  I  have  at  the  same  time 
doubts  of  my  own  judgment.  Made  out  the  sketch  of  my  notes  to  send 
to  Bulwer.  Forster  and  Browning  called  in.  My  nerves  and  spirits 
were  quite  quelled  by  them  all,  and  I  was  rejoiced  in  seeing  them  leave 
me — excepting  Browning,  whose  gentle  manners  always  make  his 
presence  acceptable.  I  acted  Othello — I  scarcely  know  in  what  way 
— not  to  please  myself ;  the  truth  is,  I  have  lost  the  tone,  the  pitch  of 
voice,  the  directness  of  the  part,  and  I  strive  in  vain  to  recall  it ; 
perhaps,  and  as  I  believe,  because  I  do  not  strive  enough — Aide-toi, 
et  le  ciel  t'aidera.  I  was  better  in  the  latter  part  of  the  play.  Was 
called  for  by  the  audience  and  obliged  to  go  forward ;  so  was  Mr. 
Vandenhoff  I 

*  Charles  Watkin  Williams  Wynne  (1775-1850)  a  Tory  politician  whose  peculiar  utterance 
earned  for  him  the  nickname  of  the  "Squeaker."  He  is  frequently  mentioned  in  the  Duke 
of  Buckingham's  Diaries. 

*  Frank  Stone  (1800-1859)  the  popular  artist;  A.R.A.  1851.  He  was  on  intimate 
terms  with  Dickens  and  his  circle. 

*  A  quotation  from  a  notorious  ballad  dealing  with  the  murder  of  a  lady  of  that  name. 

281 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

March  Ist. — To  my  surprise,  Shell  called.  He  told  me,  among 
other  things,  that  C.  Kean  had  talent.  I  would  trust  his  judgment 
where  I  would  question  that  of  another.  St.  Aubyn  had  said  he  did 
not  like  him,  but  in  reply  to  my  queries  had  admitted  enough  to  prove 
that  he  had  talent.  There  is  nothing  for  it  but  to  endeavour  to 
accelerate  my  own  improvement.  He  has  the  great  advantage  of 
youth — and  a  good  name.  I  must  depend  upon  myself — and  God. 
Sheil  told  me  of  the  resolution  of  himself,  Woulfe,  French,  Ball  and 
another  member  to  go  to  Lord  John  Russell,  and  ask  him  for  some- 
thing for  Wallace — observing  tliat  he  dare  not  refuse  five  members. 
Read  review  of  Provost  of  Bruges  in  Monthly  Repository.  Read 
Macbeth.  Mr.  Lovell  called  and  took  his  books ;  I  counselled  him  to 
draw  on  Bunn  for  his  money,  and  told  him  of  the  cause  of  the  with- 
drawal of  the  Provost  of  Bruges — the  dresses  having  been  cut  up  for 
Chevy  Chase!  Sent  him  Monthly  Repository.  Acted  Macbeth  very 
unequally ;  latter  part  of  first  act — second  act — part  of  third  act — 
part  of  fourth — first  and  last  scenes  of  fifth  act — well ;  the  rest  badly. 
I  cannot  act  Macbeth  without  being  Macbeth,  which  I  must  have  time 
to  prepare  my  mind  for.  I  cannot  work  myself  into  such  a  tempest 
of  ever- waking  thought.  Wallace  came  to  my  room.  I  was  much 
tired.  Mr.  Willmott  told  me  that  the  reason  of  Mr.  Ward's  nervous- 
ness— oh  !  how  nervous  he  is  I — was  that  he  drank  nearly  a  bottle  of 
gin  every  night !  !  Spoke  to  Bunn  about  La  Valliere ;  he  would  say 
nothing,  until  he  knew  the  author.  A  man  came  into  the  room  with 
a  "Hurrah!  "  I  took  him  for  a  vulgar  auctioneer,  or  one  of  the 
blackguard  hangers-on  of  Bunn.  Bunn,  however,  introduced  him  to 
me  as  Lord  A  lien  !  ^  Found  at  chambers  a  very  long  note  from  Bulwer 
on  La  Valliere. 

March  2nd. — Sent  the  note  written  last  night  to  C.  Buller,  and 
used  the  intermediate  minutes  of  breakfast  to  write  notes  to  A.  Watts 
and  to  Power.  As  I  was  going  out,  Buller,  to  my  surprise,  came  in. 
I  expressed  my  regret  that  he  had  not  received  my  note,  but  he  quite 
understood  it,  and  went  with  me  to  rehearsal.  He  was  amused  at 
the  confusion,  and  remained  while  Virginius  was  proceeded  with  in  a 
true  Drury  Lane  style.  He  observed  to  me  that  he  did  not  like  Mac- 
beth so  well  as  Hamlet,  and  that  he  thought  I  exhibited  too  much 
terror  after  the  murder.     I  am  not  quite  satisfied  on  the  subject  of 

'  Joshua  William,  first  Viscount  Allen  (1781-1845) ;  known  as  "  King"  Allen.     Formerly 
in  Ihe  Guards  ;  distinguished  himself  as  a  subaltern  at  Talavera ;  one  of  the  "  bow-window  " 
coterie  at  White's,  and  noted  for  his  not  too  amiable  eccentricities. 
282 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

this  criticism,  as  he  only  entered  the  theatre  at  that  scene.  Therefore 
he  wanted  the  preparation  for  it ;  but  very  Hkely  I  exaggerated — 
about  which  I  will  inquire.  Called  on  Bulwer,  and  evidently  came  on 
him  by  surprise ;  he  could  not  well  avoid  seeing  me ;  indeed  he  did 
not  demur,  though  evidently  a  little  discomposed.  He  was  in  complete 
deshabilU — a  white  nightcap  on  his  head,  looking  like  a  head  of  Gay 
or  some  poet  of  that  time — it  was  a  picture  :  his  busts,  papers,  etc., 
around  him,  and  the  unornamented  man  of  genius  undandified.  I 
told  him  of  Bunn's  desire  to  know  the  author's  name  before  he  com- 
mitted himself,  and  that  I  could  not  counsel  it,  as  I  knew  Mr.  B 

to  be  utterly  faithless  and  treacherous.  He  at  last  commissioned  me 
to  give  his  name  to  Mr.  Bunn,  but  would  not  consent  to  his  seeing 
the  play  to  judge  of  it ;  the  price  down  was  for  his  name.  We  talked 
over  the  objections  to  his  play,  and  I  think  he  inclined  at  last  to  my 
view. 

March  4>th. — Buller  called,  and  sat  about  an  hour  and  a  half.  I 
think  I  did  him  some  good.  Wrote  a  note  to  Bulwer,  returning  his 
MSS.,  with  which  I  had  been  very  much  pleased.  Went  on  to  Garrick 
Club.  The  only  newspaper  that  mentioned  the  name  of  the  play  last 
night  was  the  Post.  Saw  Taylor,  Villiers,  who  spoke  out  about 
Bulwer's  play !  Taylor  informed  me  that  Mrs.  Mathews  ^  had  sent 
in  her  claim  to  be  placed  upon  the  Covent  Garden  Fund !  !  !  Alas ! 
what  changes  in  life !  God  grant  that  I  may  never  apprehend  such 
a  disastrous  reverse  to  my  beloved  ones  !     Amen  ! 

March  5th. — Went  to  the  theatre ;  saw  Bunn,  delivered  Bulwer's 
proposal  of  his  play  without  being  looked  at.  Bunn  refused,  but  said 
he  would  write  to  Bulwer.  Spoke  about  Lovell's  money,  which  he  said 
could  not  be  paid  immediately,  but  should  be  very  soon.  A  woman 
called  for  relief,  "because  she  was  of  the  same  name."  I  paid  a 
shilling  for  the  unlucky  accident.  Just  as  I  was  going  into  my  bed- 
room, half-past  ten,  Dow  called,  bringing  with  him  his  friend,  Mr. 
Berry.  I  told  him  at  once  that  I  could  not  ask  him  to  stay,  that 
I  was  very  ill  and  tired  and  going  immediately  to  bed ;  on  which  he 
seemed  to  me  in  a  sort  of  dudgeon — offended  and  affecting  indifference 
— asked  after  the  family  and  went  away,  either  in  a  kind  of  ill-liumour 
or  so  sullenly  that  it  looked  like  it.  If  a  man  has  so  little  tact  as  to 
think  the  health,  comfort,  and  convenience  of  his  friends  are  to  stand 
as  naught  against  his  demands  for  recreation  and  amusement,  and  that 

•  The  widow  of  Charles  Mathews  the  elder,  who  had  recently  died. 

283 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

a  denial  of  this  claim  is  to  be  resented  by  ill-humour,  it  little  matters 
whether  you  part  with  him  to-day  or  to-morrow,  for  he  is  too  unsafe 
to  hold,  however  worthy  a  man  he  may  be. 

To  Bath,  March  6th. — An  outside  passenger  was  driven  in  by  the 
rain,  and  soon  began  reading  the  Age  newspaper.  Upon  his  offering 
it  to  me,  I  was  tempted  by  the  heading  of  a  paragraph  to  look  over 
it,  which  I  did  very  rapidly,  for  who  could  read  such  stuff  ?  I  glanced 
at  the  births  and  deaths,  and  startled  by  the  name  of  Green  Jeston, 
read  the  death  of  "  Lettice,  wife  of  the  Rev.  R.  Green  Jeston,*  aged 
84."  I  was  shocked  and  grieved — the  being  whom  I  remembered  in 
her  first  blush  of  beauty,  whom  I  had  loved,  and  who  had  loved  me ; 
who,  I  believe,  through  her  life  retained  a  deep  feeling  of  attachment 
to  me — whom  I  would  have  married,  had  our  stars,  adverse  as  they 
were,  permitted.  She  is  gone !  How  many,  many  recollections  are 
associated  with  her ;  all  that  I  had  of  independent  youth  flew  by  under 
the  perplexing,  tantalizing  struggle  with  the  affection  I  bore  her. 
Here  it  was  I  first  knew  her — the  beautiful,  the  radiant  girl !  All  her 
little  foibles  are  forgotten,  and  I  can  only  now  think  of  her  as  dear 
Letty :  she  is  gone  before  me,  and  in  her  early  doom,  snatched  from 
her  husband  and  children,  gives  birth  to  gloomy  apprehensions  for  my 
own  fate,  or  still  dearer  to  me,  that  of  my  beloved  wife  and  children. 
May  the  Almighty  God  watch  over  them  and  guard  them  I  Amen ! 
I  thought  much  upon  my  poor  friend — so  young,  so  beautiful,  and 
once  so  loved — may  I  not  now  almost  say,  and  still  so  loved — for  it  is 
only  my  love  of  her  that  I  retain  to  remember?  (In  the  stage-coach.) 
Captain  Bourchier,  as  I  soon  learned  his  name  to  be,  talked  much ; 
among  other  subjects  mentioned  young  Kean's  success  at  Bath,  told 
me  that  he  knew  him,  and  that  his  dresses  cost  him  .£300  per  annum, 
that  he  was  very  pleasant  and  related  many  amusing  stories  about  the 
theatre.  One  of  Macready,  who  is  a  good  actor,  but  he  can  never 
play  without  applause.  He  went  on  one  night  to  play  and  no  notice 
was  taken  of  him,  on  which  he  said  to  the  manager,  "  I  cannot  get 
on,  if  they  do  not  applaud  me."  Upon  which  the  manager  went  round 
and  told  the  audience  that  Mr.  Macready  could  not  act  if  they  did 
not  applaud  him.  When  Macready  reappeared,  the  applause  was  so 
incessant  as  to  disconcert  him,  and  he  observed,  "Why,  now  I  cannot 
act,  there  is  so  much  applause."  I  told  him  I  rather  discredited  the 
story.     "In  short,"  I  observed,  "perhaps  I  ought  to  apologize  to  you 

^  A  schoolfellow  of  Macready  at  Rugby. 
284 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

for  allowing  you  to  tell  it  without  first  giving  you  ray  name — my  name 
is  Macready."  He  was  very  much  confused,  and  I  as  courteous  in 
apologizing  as  I  could  be. 

March  1th. — Tried  to  act  Werner  well,  and  think  I  did  go  through 
much  of  it  very  naturally — perhaps  not  with  all  that  free  and  spon- 
taneous energy  which  I  intended,  but  in  an  artist-like  and  impressive 
manner.  From  the  second  act  to  the  end  of  the  play,  I  was  literally 
in  torture;  the  pain  of  my  arm  was  so  extreme  that  I  was  frequently 
obliged  to  hold  it  with  my  right  hand.  These  are  the  peculiar  hard- 
ships of  this  art,  that  with  a  demand  of  every  faculty  of  mind  and  body 
unimpaired  and  free,  we  are  obliged  to  conquer  even  agony  some- 
times, and  superinduce  a  feeling  in  direct  contrast  with  the  anguish 
that  may  be  preying  upon  us.  "  Vaunting  cloud,  but  racked  with  deep 
despair,"  is  often  an  appropriate  picture  of  an  actor's  condition. 

March  8th. — Went  to  the  theatre  in  a  tolerable  state  of  feeling : 
not  much  pain,  but  as  the  play,  Virginius,  proceeded,  the  torturing 
achings  of  my  arm  returned,  and  the  very  bad  manner  in  which  the 
piece  was  acted  distressed  me  mentally  almost  as  much  as  I  was 
suffering  bodily.  The  Icilius  (a  Mr.  Savile)  was  either  half-stupidly 
drunk,  or  is,  as  is  very  probable,  a  born  ass.  Virginia  would  have 
made  an  excellent  representation  of  Appius*  cook,  as  far  as  appearance 
went,  added  to  which  she  seemed  to  think  that  she  was  playing 
Virginius,  not  Virginia,  and  fortified  herself  for  some  extraordinary 
efforts  by  a  stimulant  which  was  too  easily  detected  on  a  near  approach 
to  her.  The  whole  business  was  most  slovenly — and  last  year  this  play 
was  actually  a  pattern  of  correctness.  Therefore  last  year  there  was  a 
loss  on  the  theatre,  and  now  there  is  a  considerable  profit.  So  much 
for  the  judgment  and  taste  of  a  Bath  public.  Pshaw !  It  is  all 
quackery. 

March  10th. — Felt  better,  but  not  entirely  free  from  painful  sensa- 
tions in  my  head.  Received  a  letter  from  Bulwer,  apprising  me  of  the 
expected  termination  of  negotiation  with  Mr.  Bunn  on  the  subject 
of  his  play,  and  wishing  me  to  impress  on  Mr.  Bunn  that  the  com- 
munication was  confidential — also  desiring  to  be  informed  of  the  extent 
of  my  engagement  with  Bunn,  and  whether  I  should  be  at  liberty  to 
enter  into  any  other  with  Mr.  Osbaldiston  ;  further  inquiring  as  to  the 
possibility  of  Morris's  acceptance  of  the  play.  Wrote  to  Bulwer  in 
reply,  and  to  Bunn,  urging  the  necessity  of  silence  on  the  negotiation. 
Went  to  rehearsal  and  felt  extremely  ill,  and — I  believe — looked  very 

285 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

ill.  The  play  was  in  a  very  bad  state.  There  is  no  management,  no 
superintendence,  no  intelligence,  and  (qu.  therefore  ?)  the  concern 
succeeds !  It  is  hard  to  be  forced  to  acknowledge  this.  Returning 
from  rehearsal,  at  my  lodgings  I  felt  surprisingly  better.  Laid  out 
ray  dress,  and  dined  very  heartily.  Had  received  in  the  morning  a 
very  kind  note  from  St.  Aubyn,  which  I  answered.  Made  a  parcel  of 
books  of  Werner  and  Provost  of  Bruges,  which  I  sent  to  Exeter. 
Wrote  a  very  kind  note  to  Bellamy,  regretting  that  I  had  not  seen 
him  on  my  last  and  present  visit ;  I  did  not  choose  to  lose  a  friend 
for  such  a  worthless  "snipe  "  as  Mr.  Woulds!  Went  to  the  theatre, 
and  before  I  had  put  on  my  dress  for  Bertulphe,  the  pain  in  my  arm 
and  shoulder,  in  all  its  depressing,  irritating  power  came  on,  and 
distressed  me  through  the  whole  evening.  Taking  my  bodily  infirmity 
into  consideration — for  my  arm  was  so  weak  I  could  not  hold  the  Earl, 
in  endeavouring  to  seize  him — I  did  not  act  badly.  I  was  called  for 
by  the  audience  rather  vociferously,  as  it  seemed,  at  the  end  of  the 
play,  and  I  fear  I  did  not  behave  with  all  my  better  judgment.  I 
peremptorily  and  not  very  courteously  refused  to  go  on.  Mr.  Woulds 
was  obliged  to  make  the  best  excuse  he  could — he  might  with  truth  have 
said  I  was  very  ill,  but  he  chose  to  say  that  I  "declined  appearing." 
Why  did  I  not  go  forward  ?  Temper,  I  believe,  was  the  real  cause. 
I  was  angry  with  Mr.  Woulds's  treacherous  decoy  of  me  into  an 
engagement  the  week  before  the  Dramatic  Fete,  and  I  felt  something 
like  impatience — perhaps  disgust — at  the  neglect  of  the  public,  who 
had  crowded  to  see  Mr.  Kean  in  such  characters  as  Rolla,  King  John, 
Sardanapalus — which  it  is  certain  he  could  not  play — and  who  deserted 
me  altogether.  I  more  than  fear  that  I  was  wrong — indeed,  the  very 
admission  of  anger  condemns  me.     I  was  to  blame. 

March  llth. — Read  the  newspapers,  containing  the  debates  on  the 
Municipal  Corporation  Bill.  We  have  no  right  to  refuse  faith  to  the 
asserted  convictions  of  our  opponents  in  argument,  but  it  is  difficult 
to  yield  belief  to  the  sincerity  of  the  doctrines  broached  by  Sir  R. 
Peel — still  more  to  those  of  Stanley — and  most  to  those  of  the  apostate 
radical  Graham.^     Why  did  not,  as  O'Connell  properly  inquires,  Sir 

*  Sir  James  Robert  George  Graham,  Bart.  (17Q2-1861) ;  a  member  of  Lord  Grey's  Cabinet, 
but  resigned  with  Stanley  in  1834 ;  ioined  Peel's  Government  in  1841  as  Home  Secretary. 
Served  in  the  Coalition  Cabinet,  and  afterwards  in  that  of  Lord  Palnierston.  He  incurred 
great  unpopularity  by  opening  the  letters  of  foreign  refugees  when  Home  Secretary  under 
Peel,  and  never  succeeded  in  living  it  down.  As  a  statesman  he  was  too  "crotchety"  to 
command  a  reputation  equal  to  his  abilities 
286 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

R.  Peel  discover  before  the  necessity  for  sweeping  away  these  institu- 
tions, whose  corruption  now  calls  for  their  annihilation?  It  does  not 
look  like  honesty. 

March  12th. — Rose,  not  so  well  as  I  had  hoped.  While  dressing 
received  letters  from  my  beloved  wife,  from  dear  Letitia,  and  Mr. 
Bartley,  communicating  to  me  Mr.  Bunn's  intimation  to  the  Drury 
Lane  Company,  through  Mr.  Cooper,  of  his  inability  to  carry  on  the 
theatre  beyond  Lent,  unless  the  company  consented  to  a  reduction  of 
their  salaries !  I  am  not  included  in  this  precious  business  by  the 
terms  of  my  engagement.  It  is  right  that  I  should  well  ponder  the 
issues,  before  I  decide  to  become  a  party  to  any  movement.  Once  I 
stood  forward  for  the  art ;  and  the  actors,  Mr.  Bartley  at  their  head, 
basely  deserted  me. 

Bristolf  March  IMh. — Went  to  the  theatre.  There  was  a  good 
house ;  good  old  Bristol !  I  acted  Bertulphe  particularly  well  to  an 
audience  who  came  to  be  delighted.  Was  loudly  called  for  by  the 
audience,  and  long  and  loudly  cheered  when  I  went  forward.  I  told 
them  how  happy  I  was  to  receive  their  applause,  and  hoped  next  season 
to  have  another  new  play  to  submit  to  their  judgment. 

Exeter,  March  16th. — Acted  Othello  as  well  as  the  wretched 
lago  and  Desdemona  and  Emilia  would  permit  me,  and  better  than 
the  miserable  account  of  empty  boxes  could  have  expected.  Bulwer 
seems  keen  after  money.  He  does  not  let  the  grass  grow  under  his 
feet. 

March  l'7th. — Acted  Werner  tolerably  well ;  wanted  a  sustained 
reality — which  I  want,  and  must  acquire,  in  Othello.  It  is  to  be  done, 
and  if  I  had  gained  it,  I  should  have  been  a  very  superior  artist — but 
oh !  how  hard  to  gain  what  seems  easier  the  more  difficult  it  is !  Mr. 
Hay  told  me  that  Mr.  Kean  is  a  palpable,  and  avowed  copy  of  the 
father,  and  often  for  effect  at  the  expense  of  reason.  If  this  be  the 
case,  he  will  reach  no  high  mark. 

March  ISth. — Was  late  in  coming  downstairs,  and  did  not  feel 
quite  well.  C.  Buller  called  in  whilst  I  was  at  breakfast,  and  sat  with 
me  nearly  an  hour.  Went  to  rehearsal,  and  soon  made  an  end  of  it 
by  going  through  my  own  scenes  consecutively.  Sent  to  my  lodgings 
for  any  letters,  hoping  to  receive  an  affirmative  answer  from  Plymouth. 
There  were  none,  but  a  card  from  Captain  Bourchier,  my  compagnon 
de  voyage.  I  had  built  upon  the  hope  of  a  favourable  answer  from 
Plymouth,  the  intention  of  making  all  I  could  of  next  week  at  Bath, 
Exeter  and  even  Bristol.     But  without  Plymouth  it  all  falls  to  the 

287 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

ground,  and  I  must  go  home.  Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  had  the 
satisfaction  to  have  a  very  numerous  audience.  As  I  dare  not  strip 
my  rheumatic  arm,  I  was  obliged  to  act  Virginius  in  my  shirt  sleeves. 
What  would  a  French  critic  have  said  or  done  ?  The  extreme  careless- 
ness of  the  actors  very  much  distressed  and  disabled  me.  It  was 
inexcusable ;  I  tried  to  overcome  it,  but  I  could  not  lose  myself,  so 
perpetually  was  I  recalled  to  the  painful  reality  of  the  unfit  state  of 
things  about  me.  Between  the  third  and  fourth  acts  the  manager 
came  into  my  room  to  apologize  for  a  delay  of  some  minutes,  while 
Mr.  H.  Hughes  stripped  the  toga  and  decemviral  insignia  from  Appius 
Claudius,  a  Mr.  Bartlett,  and  invested  himself  with  them  to  finish  the 
character,  Mr.  Bartlett  having  been  so  excessively  drunk  as  to  tumble 
from  the  sella  curulis  in  the  Forum.  Oh,  Rome !  If  the  man  had  been 
acting  Cato,  it  might  have  been  taken  for  a  point  of  character.  This 
is  the  profession  which  the  vulgar  envy,  and  the  proud  seem  justified 
in  despising !  I  come  from  each  night's  performance  wearied  and 
incapacitated  in  body,  and  sunk  and  languid  in  mind ;  compelled  to  be 
a  party  to  the  blunders,  the  ignorance,  and  wanton  buffoonery  which, 
as  to-night,  degrade  the  poor  art  I  am  labouring  in,  and  from  which 
I  draw  an  income  that  scarcely  promises  me,  with  a  moderate  scale  of 
expenditure,  a  comfortable  provision  for  my  old  age  and  a  bequest  for 
my  children.  Oh,  ye  wretches,  that  in  your  coward  shelter  insidiously 
murder  and  pillage — for  your  slanders  (Messrs.  Theodore  Hook,  Har- 
ness, Thompson,  etc.)  have  stung  my  heart  and  have  reduced  my 
income — I  would  I  could  acquire  your  obtuseness  and  callousness.  I 
would  almost  take  your  blackguardism  and  rascality  with  it ! 

March  Idth. — A  letter  from  Mr.  Mude  informed  me  that  my  terms 
at  Plymouth  were  acceded  to,  which,  much  as  I  long  to  return  home, 
I  was  very  much  pleased  to  learn.  Seeing  that  there  was  a  prospect 
of  making  something  out  of  the  week,  I  wrote  to  Mr.  Woulds,  offering 
to  play  at  Bath  on  Saturday.  I  would  not,  on  ordinary  occasions, 
for  trifling  gains  harass  myself,  but  here  is  a  prospect  of  adding  to  my 
invested  money,  and  such  an  occasion  is  not  idly  to  be  neglected. 
Wrote  to  Mr.  Mude.  Buller  called  and  sat  for  about  an  hour ;  he 
was  very  agreeable,  seems  very  candid,  and  has,  I  think,  a  quick  insight 
into  character.  Wrote  me  some  franks.*  At  the  theatre  the  manager 
came  in,   with  an  elongated  visage,   to  say  that  *'  the  rascal  "  of  a 

^  Charles  Buller  was  then  M.P.  for  Liskeard,  and  the  privilege  of  parliamentary 
franking  was  still  in  existence  {note  by  Sir  F.  Pollock). 

288 


WILLIAM    CHARLES    MACREADY 
AS   OTHELLO 

From  an  evirrarini)  of  the  pnintiiip  li;i   Tracy 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

prompter  had  sent  him  a  note  that  moment  to  the  effect  that  he  had 
"  never  been  so  insulted  as  he  was  that  morning,  and  that  he  should 
in  consequence  not  come  to  the  theatre  this  evening."  (This  prompter 
had  given  away  the  prompt-book  during  rehearsal,  for  which  the 
rehearsal  was,  of  course,  obliged  to  wait,  and  he  was  censured  for  doing 
so — this  is  the  head  and  front  of  the  offending  against  this  vagabond.) 
These  are  players.  Some  willing  hearts  set  to  work  to  "  double, 
double  toil  and  trouble,"  and  doubled  accordingly  their  own  parts  with 
his.  I  sent  my  dresser,  also  a  sort  of  actor,  for  my  bag,  and  to  call 
about  a  warm  bath.  I  waited  his  return  until  it  became  necessary  to 
think  of  time ;  I  proceeded  to  do  all  I  could — at  last  my  mind  misgave 
me  that  the  arch  rebel  had  perhaps  '*  drawn  after  him  "  some  of  Hay's 
power.  I  sent  for  my  clothes,  which  were  brought  by  a  strange 
messenger,  and  the  fatal  truth  came  out  that  the  dresser  could  not 
get  by  a  public-house,  had  been  sucked  in  by  the  maelstrom,  and  sunk 
its  victim.  I  had  recommended  Mr.  Hay  to  send  after  the  other  vaga- 
bond, but  his  answer  was,  *'  God  bless  you,  sir !  he's  dead  drunk  by 
this  time,  that's  it !  He  has  written  this  letter  on  the  heer — he's 
pot-valiant.  He'll  never  be  found  to-night."  Well,  with  the  abdica- 
tion of  one  and  the  desertion  of  the  other  we  got  through  very  toler- 
ably ;  though  never  did  the  assumer  of  royalty  justify  the  act  of  regicide 
more  truly  than  the  Earl  of  Flanders  this  evening. 

To  Plymouth^  March  ^Oth. — Buller  parted  from  me  at  my  lodgings. 
I  fear  his  health  is  not  good.  He  seems  very  amiable.  I  like  him 
more  the  more  I  see  him.     He  is  frank  and  sensible. 

March  22rd. — My  endeavour  to  act  Werner  well  was  completely 
frustrated.  The  whole  play  was  acted  very  indifferently ;  Josephine 
was  dressed  like  a  flower-girl  for  a  fancy  ball ;  Idenstein,  Fritz,  Strala- 
heim  all  bad — Gaber  not  good — but  Ulric  was  beyond  all  power  of 
description — winking  with  his  eyes,  then  starting,  and  looking  very 
fine,  mysterious  and  assassin-like — then  as  flippant  as  a  man-milliner. 
He  quite  paralyzed  me.  I  contended  with  this  oppressive  incubus, 
and  made  some  effect,  but  the  heart  was  absent. 

March  24<th. — Arriving  at  Exeter,  went  to  rehearsal,  where  I  went 
rapidly  through  it.  Saw  there  an  Edinburgh  newspaper,  containing 
an  account  of  the  extraordinary  success  of  young  Kean — "  the  houses 
literally  crammed  every  night."  Can  this  he  had  ?  Tried  to  act  well 
to  a  very  good  house ;  was  disconcerted  at  first  by  fancying  that  some 
persons  in  the  stage  box  were  uncivil,  when  I  found  they  were  warmly 
admiring.  Still  more  thrown  off  my  balance  by  a  letter  from  Mr. 
VOL.  I.  u  289 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

Cooper,  giving  me  notice  of  Richard  III  for  Easter  Monday.  Oh, 
Mr.  Bunn — I  was  distressed  at  first,  and,  as  usual,  angry,  but  soon 
reasoned  myself  into  complacency,  or  at  least  resolution  not  to  let  it 
be  any  advantage  to  the  man  who  thinks  to  annoy  me  and  perhaps 
to  make  me  relinquish  my  engagement — but  it  is  a  night's  uncomfort- 
able feeling  and  then  an  end !  It  cannot  kill  my  reputation,  for  my 
reputation  does  not  rest  upon  the  past ;  I  will,  however,  do  my  best 
with  it.  Acted  as  well  as  I  could  to  a  very  prepossessed  audience, 
who  would  make  me  go  forward  at  the  end,  which,  after  much  delay, 
I  did. 

March  25th. — In  the  Examiner  newspaper  I  see  a  paragraph  stating 
that  the  King  has  appointed  "Alfred  Bunn,  Esq.,  one  of  his  honour- 
able gentlemen-at-arms !  ^  Is  character  of  any  value  in  this  world, 
when  a  miscreant  like  this  can  dare  to  let  his  name  be  seen  beyond 
the  eyes  of  his  dirty  associates?  "Oh,  thou  world!  thou  art  indeed 
a  melancholy  jest." 

Elstreef  March  29th. — Answered,  by  acceptance,  the  invitation  of 
the  Literary  Fund  Committee  to  be  steward  at  their  festival. 

April  Mh. — Letter  from  Talfourd,  proposing  to  be  here  on  Friday. 
Read  over  lorif  in  order  to  get  a  general  idea  of  its  arrangement. 

April  Sth. — A  letter  from  Talfourd  mentioned  the  time  of  his 
arrival,  and  enclosed  Mr.  Vandenhoff's  refusal  to  act  Adrastus.  I  did 
not  expect  the  man  to  do  it  from  any  feeling  to  me,  since  he  would 
pay  a  premium  to  have  my  throat  cut,  and  he  has  no  sense  of  delicacy, 
but  to  the  character  of  Talfourd  and  to  the  merit  of  his  play,  some 
consideration  was  due.  He  excused  himself  on  the  plea  of  his 
daughter's  dShut,  which  takes  place  on  Monday  next — a  fortnight 
before  the  representation  of  Ion!  He  is,  as  I  have  ever  observed  him, 
a  nasty  fellow!  On  Talfourd's  arrival  about  three  o'clock  we  went 
over  the  play,  he  not  offering  an  objection  to  all  my  omissions.  After 
dinner  we  settled  the  terms  of  the  announcement ;  Letitia  returned 
from  town.  Talfourd  and  myself  went  together  in  his  carriage  to 
town.  On  our  way,  in  speaking  of  the  heartburnings  and  littlenesses 
practised  in  the  theatrical  profession,  and  observing  that,  though 
lawyers  said  that  in  their  vocation  they  were  exposed  to  equal  annoy- 
ances, yet  there  was  the  restraint  which  the  character  of  gentlemen 

^  The  qualifications  for  the  corps  must  have  differed  widely  from  those  of  the  present 
day  !  That  Bunn,  the  insolvent  theatrical  speculator,  should  be  considered  eligible  for  the 
Royal  Bodyguard,  while  an  actor  of  Macready's  distinguished  abilities  and  high  character 
found  himself  debarred  from  so  much  as  attending  a  levee  represents  an  almost  incredible 
anomaly  even  for  the  rigime  of  WilHajn  IV. 
290 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

laid  on  them,  Talfourd  surprised  me  by  replying  that  he  did  not  think 
there  were  any  unworthy  feelings  displayed  from  rivalry  or  envy  at 
the  Bar.  I  did  not  acquiesce  in  his  opinion,  but  it  served  to  convince 
me  of  the  happier  life  they  lead  who  do  not  stop  in  their  life's  journey 
to  remove  every  impediment  from  their  path  and  kick  every  bramble 
out  of  their  way — how  much  more  easily  and  more  readily  the  traveller, 
who  steps  over  the  dirt,  goes  out  of  the  way  of  obstinate  hindrances, 
and  leaves  the  thorns  through  which  he  picks  his  path,  attains  the 
goal  of  his  desires !  Talfourd 's  easiness  of  disposition,  his  general 
indulgence  for  others'  faults,  and  good-natured  aversion  to  dispute,  has 
proved,  in  the  happiness  that  has  resulted  from  such  amiability,  the 
best  wisdom. 

London,  April  9th. — Called  on  Miss  Tree.  To  my  distress  and 
consternation,  she  was  not  at  home,  nor  expected  to  return  until  May. 
Reflected  on  my  situation  and  thought  the  matter  hopeless  without 
Miss  Tree.  Pondered  on  my  situation,  and  called  on  Talfourd ;  proved 
to  him  the  impossibility  of  acting  the  play  of  Ion  without  Miss  Tree, 
but  luckily  thought  of  writing  to  her,  to  ask  her  to  assist  me  on  a 
more  distant  day — if  Bunn,  as  I  doubted  not,  would  consent  to  its 
postponement.  We  walked  together  to  Drury  Lane  theatre,  and  I 
went  in  to  see  Mr.  Bunn.  I  proposed  the  delay,  to  which  he  assented, 
and  I  left  him  to  carry  the  news  to  Talfourd  at  the  Garrick  Club. 
Saw  there  Harley,  Meadows,  Bartley,  Fladgate,  H.  Reynolds  and 
Price,  who  asked  if  I  thought  of  America  this  year.  I  said  "No;  I 
should  not  go  for  a  year  or  two."  Repeated  to  Talfourd  what  had 
occurred  with  Bunn ;  he  wrote  me  a  frank  for  Miss  Tree,  and  I,  going 
to  my  chambers,  wrote  to  her,  asking  her  if  she  could  assist  me.  Mrs. 
Bradshawe,  a  pretty  little  woman,  whom  I  found  to  be  the  daughter 
of  Dodd,  an  old  usher  at  Westminster,  sat  for  two  hours,  asking  and 
repeating  her  request  that  I  would  procure  her  a  situation  in  some 
theatre.  Harding  sent  a  note  to  ask  for  money,  with  which  I  was 
not  quite  pleased.  Went  out,  walked,  to  Nelson  Square  ( !)  to  dine 
with  Dow :  was  introduced  to  Miss  Andrew — a  nice  piece  of  flesh 
enough,  rien  autre.  Dow  makes  an  ass  of  himself  by  what  I  suppose 
he  calls  "courting,"  but  what  I  denominate  playing  the  fool!  He 
is  most  absurd. 

Elstree,  April  10th. — The  Iron  Chest  ^  seemed  to  me  an  alternative, 
if  Ion  be  out  of  the  question,  for  my  Benefit,  should  I  feel  myself 
capable  of  studying  the  character  in  time,  which  is  doubtful. 

^  By  George  Colman  the  younger. 
U  2  291 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

April  11th. — Read  over  the  part  of  Sir  Edward  Mortimer,  to  see 
if  I  could  adopt  it  for  my  benefit.  Found  I  could  not  do  justice  to 
myself  in  it. 

London  J  April  14ft/i. — Rehearsed  Lady  Macbeth 's  scenes  with  Mrs. 
Sharpe,  and  to  my  great  surprise — and  certainly  to  my  amusement, 
as  I  reflected  on  the  man,  his  personal  hatred  of  me,  and  his  vanity  and 
pride — Mr.  Vandenhoflf  wished  to  speak  to  me  in  Mr.  Cooper's  room, 
and  dinned  me  with  the  account  of  his  own  compromise  with  Mr.  Bunn 
for  a  reduced  salary  on  condition  of  his  daughter's  appearance — of  her 
success — and  his  ill-treatment  of  her.  This  to  me  showed  his  own 
weakness  more  than  anything  he  could  have  done.  Mr.  Kenneth  called 
from  Mr.  Osbaldiston,  to  learn  whether  I  would  make  an  engagement 
at  Covent  Garden ;  after  much  disjointed  chat,  I  said  that  I  had  no 
wish  to  go  to  that  theatre,  but  that  for  money  I  would,  viz.,  for  £90 
per  night  for  twenty  nights.  He  is  not  likely  to  give  it,  and  nothing 
but  the  want  of  money  could  induce  me  to  ask  it.  Took  all  the  pains  I 
could  with  Macbeth,  but  had  not  made  due  preparation ;  acted  pretty 
well,  but  did  not  finish  off  some  of  my  effects  so  well  as  I  should  have 
done  with  a  little  more  preparation.  The  audience  persisted  in  calling 
for  me,  and  cheered  me  most  enthusiastically.  Talfourd  came  in  from 
the  House,  where  he  had  been  speaking  on  flogging  in  the  Army.  He 
said  that  he  was  nervous  and  rapid,  but  listened  to  with  great  in- 
dulgence. Showed  him  a  letter  from  Ellen  Tree  which  I  had  just 
received,  in  which  she  mentioned  her  intention  of  being  in  town 
SSnd  May,  and  her  willingness  to  study  Clemanthe  for  me.  Neither 
Cooper  nor  Bunn  was  in  the  theatre,  so  that  nothing  could  be 
settled. 

April  15th. — Sent  to  Talfourd  for  franks,  examined  my  accounts, 
and  calculated  my  means.  Enclosed  a  note  in  a  parcel,  containing  a 
book  of  Ion,  which  I  had  marked,  for  Ellen  Tree,  to  Clarke  at  Liver- 
pool. Wrote  to  Ellen  Tree  in  answer  to  hers  received  last  night. 
Called  at  the  theatre  to  speak  about  my  night,  and  my  dress  for  King 
John.  Speaking  to  Mr.  Cooper,  I  saw  in  the  play-bill  that  I  was 
announced  for  to-morrow  night  in  William  Tell  as  the  after-piece.  I 
directly  told  Mr.  Cooper  that  I  would  not  do  it ;  that  it  was  utterly 
unjustifiable.  He  said  it  was,  but  I  had  better  write  a  letter,  disclaim- 
ing Mr.  Bunn's  right,  and  do  it  on  that  occasion.  I  refused.  He 
then  said,  "What  shall  I  do?  "  wanting  me  to  play  King  Henry  IV 
(second  part)  as  an  after-piece  on  his  night.  He  talked  like  a  fool, 
as  he  is,  about  my  unkindness  in  not  doing  it  for  him,  but  I  cut  the 
292 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

conversation  as  short  as  I  could.  Palmer  had  left  the  wardrobe  and  I 
went  on,  calling  at  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  read  the  list  of  the 
celebrators  of  Shakspeare's  birthday.  Saw  the  papers — Times ^  of 
course,  did  not  mention  my  name — ^the  other  papers,  as  coldly  as  they 
could.  Looked  at  Heraud's  review  of  Knowles,  in  which  he  makes 
out  Knowles  to  be  the  comic  writer,  adding  that  the  tragic  has  not 
yet  appeared,  but  is  coming,  and  that  he  can  see  him.  Called  on 
Bulwer ;  thought  I  passed  Fitzgerald — turned  and  looked  in  his  face, 
could  not  swear  to  him,  but  thought  it  him.  If  I  were  sure,  his  cut 
should  be  a  deep  one.  Forster  came  in  and  walked  to  chambers  with 
me.  A  boy  stopped  and  told  me  he  had  left  a  note  for  me  at  my 
chambers.  At  my  request  he  returned  with  me.  It  was  from  Cooper, 
intimating  Bunn's  intention  to  keep  up  the  announcement  of  William 
Tell.  I  wrote  to  repeat  my  refusal  and  quoted  his  own  assertion  of  the 
unjustifiahility  of  the  action.  He  wrote  again  a  dirty  attempt  to 
qualify  his  free  declaration,  and  I  answered  refusing  to  admit  any 
departure  from  facts,  telling  him  that  I  would  put  him  into  a  witness- 
box  upon  the  words ;  was  much  divided  and  sometimes  agitated  by 
varying  reflections  and  resolutions.  God  help  me !  The  world  uses 
me  worse  than  I  use  it  I 

April  16th. — Passed  a  most  miserably  uncomfortable  night,  tor- 
mented and  kept  awake  by  the  headache,  and  worried  by  the  thoughts 
of  this  base  scoundrel's  attempts  to  injure  me.     Did  not,  for  once, 
find  the  consilium  which  the  night  has  often  before  given  me.     Thought 
on  Forster  coming  here  last  night,  as  if  for  mere  curiosity.     I  hope 
it  was  not  so.     Rose,  after  revolving  all  modes  of  meeting  and  treating 
this  business,  with  the  purpose  of  endeavouring  to  obtain  an  engage- 
ment that  there  should  be  no  recurrence  of  this  half-price  work,  and 
so  far  to  concede.     Sent  a  note  to  Dow,  after  having  seen  the  announce- 
ment in  the  bills,  requesting  him  to  call  here,  and  a  note  to  Cooper 
to  the  same  effect.     Dow  called  and  we  talked  over  the  affair ;  he  was 
very  averse  to  my  appearing  in  William  Tell  this  evening,  but,  like 
myself,  had  a  dread  of  giving  oflPence  to  the  public.     Whilst  he  went 
on  an  embassy  to  Cooper  to  state  my  consent  to  perform  the  part  this 
night,   provided  an  engagement  was  given  that  nothing  of  the  sort 
should  recur  during  my  engagement,  and,  in  the  event  of  Mr.  Bunn 
refusing  to  give  such   pledge,  that  I   should   hold   Cooper   personally 
responsible  for  anything  he  might  say  derogatory  to  my  interests  this 
evening  (all  of  which  he  did  in  a  very  direct  and  spirited  manner),  I 
wrote  out  a  copy  of  a  handbill,  to  be  delivered  at  the  doors  of  the 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

theatre,  giving  notice  of  my  non-appearance.  Dow  returned  with  a 
letter  from  Cooper,  which  was  a  silly  answer  to  that  sent  by  me  last 
night,  in  which  I  spoke  of  the  "  atrocious  villainy  "  of  Mr.  Bunn. 
Dow  observed  that  he  grew  manifestly  more  civil  after  the  intimation 
of  his  probable  "personal  responsibility."  I  observed  to  Dow  that  I 
did  not  like  the  idea  of  issuing  a  handbill,  and  that  I  should  prefer 
playing  the  game  of  this  scoundrel  Bunn,  and  giving  up  my  engage- 
ment. He  was  satisfied  that  in  so  doing  I  should  be  liable  to  an 
action  for  damages.  It  was  then  agreed  finally  between  us  that  I 
should  stand  on  the  guarantee  (having  been  required  to  appear  in  two 
plays  as  after-pieces)  and,  if  it  were  refused,  that  I  should  not  act. 
On  his  departure  another  note  arrived  from  Mr.  Cooper,  inquiring  if 
he  were  at  liberty  to  communicate  to  Mr.  Bunn  the  notes  with 
"  atrocious  villainy  "  and  "  falsehood  " — which  last  expression  I  do  not 
recollect.  I  told  him  to  use  his  discretion,  that  I  did  not  care,  but 
wanted  an  answer  to  my  friend's  communication.  I  thought  he  wished 
to  shift  the  personal  responsibility  and  secure  himself  behind  a  meUe 
with  myself  and  Bunn.  I  was  in  considerable  anxiety  to  know  whether 
Mr.  Bunn  would  come  over  here  for  a  scene  and  endeavour  to  make 
a  bullying  row,  for  which  I  quite  prepared  myself ;  but  the  time  passed 
and  no  one  came  from  him.  Forster  called  and  told  me  of  the 
indignant  feeling  that  had  been  displayed  by  several  upon  the  indignity 
offered  me;  added  that  Vandenhoff  had  seceded,  and  soon  left  us. 
He  must  have  seen  that  I  was  nervous  and  distrait.  Dow  called  and 
reported  his  second  interview  with  Cooper,  in  which  he  had  made 
certain  what  before  he  had  said  conjecturally.  He  did  well.  When 
he  had  left  me,  a  strange  gentleman  (anonymous)  called  about  a  play 
he  had  written.  I  received  him  very  courteously,  and  promised  all  in 
my  power.  A  note  came  in  a  yielding  tone,  but  declining  to  give  the 
undertaking  against  recurrence  of  the  matter,  and  I  wrote  shortly  back 
that  on  no  other  condition  would  I  consent  to  appear.  Very  low- 
spirited,  and  oppressed  with  a  sense  of  degradation  and  the  indignity 
put  upon  me.  Spoke  to  Meadows,  Brindal,  Jones,  etc.,  upon  it,  very 
quietly.  Lardner  called  and  went  behind  the  scenes  with  me.  Spoke 
to  Mr.  Cooper  about  my  Benefit  night,  to  which  I  required  an  answer, 
and  asked  him  if  he  was  authorized  to  send  the  note  he  did  ?  He  said 
"  No,  for  Mr.  Bunn  was  not  in  the  theatre,  but  that  subsequently  he, 
Bunn,  had  sanctioned  it."  This  I  believe  to  be  an  equivocation.  He 
dared  not  have  given  the  guarantee  in  Mr.  Bunn's  name  unless  Bunn 
had  left  him  a  discretionary  power  to  that  effect.  There  seemed  to 
294 


1836]  THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

be  a  very  general  feeling  of  disgust  at  Mr.  Bunn's  behaviour  among 
the  people  connected  with  the  theatres.  Had  not  been  able  to  read 
William  Tell,  but  took  all  the  pains  in  my  power  with  its  performance, 
and  rendered  it  very  effective,  particularly  when  the  lateness  of  the 
hour  is  taken  into  account.  The  audience  did  not  move  till  the  very 
last,  and,  after  going  to  my  room,  I  was  obliged  to  return  at  the  call 
of  the  remaining  audience,  who  would  not  depart,  and  who  cheered  me 
most  enthusiastically.  Talfourd  and  Forster  had  come  into  my  room, 
and  stayed  with  me  whilst  I  undressed.  Forster  walked  to  chambers, 
took  tea  with  me  and  heard  the  correspondence  between  Cooper  and 
myself,  which  seemed  to  give  him  great  amusement.  So  ended  a  day, 
and  thus  was  passed  over  a  threatening  danger,  which  might  have  had 
an  evil  influence,  with  a  different  issue,  on  my  whole  future  life.  As  it 
is,  the  events  of  to-day  are  more  likely  to  make  friends  for  me  than 
enemies.  Humbly  and  gratefully  do  I  lift  up  my  heart  in  gratitude 
to  Almighty  God  for  my  escape  from  disasters  that  seemed  to  beset 
me.  May  I  be  more  circumspect  in  future,  and  may  my  actions  be 
more  prosperous.  The  thought  of  my  children  several  times  to-day 
served  to  retard  and  to  impel  me,  as  I  grew  into  passion  or  sank  into 
despondency.  May  God  Almighty  bless  them  and  give  us  life  and 
means  to  make  them  all  we  wish !     Amen  ! 

April  ISth. — A  note  from  Mr.  Cooper  with  Mr.  Bunn's  assent 
to  the  proposal  of  Tuesday,  May  24th,  for  my  Benefit ;  wrote  to 
Talfourd  acquainting  him  with  the  news,  requiring  a  frank  for  Miss 
Ellen  Tree,  and  asking  him  (for  Catherine  and  self)  to  be  godfather  to 
our  little  Edward.  Wrote  to  Mr.  Cooper,  sending  him  the  prompt- 
book of  Ion  and  the  cast  of  the  characters  as  I  should  advise ;  at  the 
same  time,  to  save  any  pain  to  his  feelings,  I  wrote  a  note  to  Mr. 
Brindal  asking  him,  as  an  indulgence  to  myself,  to  play  the  part  of 
Crythes,  which  I  had  assigned  to  him.  Received  a  note  from  Tal- 
fourd, very  heartily  acquiescing  in  my  request.  Wrote  a  letter 
to  Ellen  Tree,  apprising  her  of  the  night  fixed  for  the  performance 
of  Ion,  and  thanking  her.  Returning  to  dinner,  wrote  notes  to 
Farren,  Harley,  and  Bartley,  requiring  them  to  meet  here  on 
Wednesday,  to  consider  our  condition,  and  its  chances  and  means  of 
amendment. 

April  19th. — Spent  the  time  of  my  toilet  labour  in  vain  and  angry 
reflections  on  the  impertinence  of  the  self-elected  Committee  of  the 
Garrick  Club.  I  am  certainly  impatient  of  the  coxcombry  of  such 
things  as  Messrs.  Hay  ward,  Theodore  Hook,  Williams,  and  the  etcs. 

295 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

that  make  up  that  very  despicable  body.  But  at  last  I  inquired  of 
myself  why  I  could  not  be  happy  without  the  Garrick  Club,  and  if  so, 
why  I  should  concern  myself  with  its  pitiful  intrigues  or  its  profligate 
and  trifling  frequenters.  I  wondered  at  my  own  littleness  in  wasting 
mind  upon  such  trash.  It  is  not  my  wish  to  be  proud.  I  would  live 
a  life  of  love  with  all  mankind,  and  redeem  the  sins  of  my  life  by 
benevolence  of  thought  and  deed.  Why,  then,  have  I  so  few  com- 
panions ?  Why  am  I  so  much  a  stranger  to  society  as  I  have  become  ? 
Is  it  a  want  of  that  suppleness  which  makes  an  empty,  and  dull,  and 
dishonoured  man  like  C.  Kemble  acceptable — or  of  the  effrontery  of 
Mr.  Power,  which  "  will  not  be  denied  "  ?  How  much  I  wish  I  could 
see  and  know  myself !  Went  to  rehearsal,  when  I  arranged  my  dress, 
there  being  nothing  in  the  theatre  that  could  be  worn.  Notes  of  orders 
and  promise  of  attendance  to-morrow  from  Farren  and  from  Kenneth, 
conveying  to  me  Mr.  Osbaldiston's  refusal  to  accede  to  the  terms  I 
had  mentioned.  I  feel  no  regret  at  it ;  for  it  is  money  purchased  at  a 
heavy  cost  of  feeling  to  go  into  that  theatre.  Acted  King  John  in  a 
way  that  assured  me  that  I  could  play  it  excellently ;  it  seemed  to 
make  an  impression  on  the  house,  but  I  had  not  made  it  sure,  finished, 
and  perfectly  individualized.  Some  fools  set  up  a  monstrous  hubbub 
at  the  passage  of  defiance  to  the  Pope,  and  Mr.  Charles  Dance  told 
me  afterwards  in  the  green-room  that  the  Catholics  would  "  cut  our 
throats."  Is  it  a  sin — or  ought  it  not  to  be — to  have  the  faculty  of 
reason  and  the  power  of  cultivating  it  by  examination,  and  yet  remain 
so  low  in  the  intellectual  scale?  Mrs.  Sharpe  was  very  ineffective  in 
the  effective  part  of  Constance.  What  a  character !  But  it  is  because 
every  line  is  so  effective  that  common  minds  cannot  rise  from  one  level, 
and  have  not  the  skill  by  contrast  and  variety  to  give  relish  and  effect 
without  great  effort. 

April  9,0th. — Looked  at  the  Times,  which,  as  usual,  took  no  notice 
of  me,  and  the  Morning  Post,  which  made  but  slight  mention  of  me, 
devoting  much  space  to  Mrs.  Sharpe's  Constance  and  to  Grisi's  Norma. 
Mr.  Bartley  came  to  his  appointment,  and  we  fell  into  a  general  con- 
versation upon  the  condition  of  the  theatres,  and  the  means  of  restoring 
the  art  to  a  better  state.  He  spoke  of  my  situation  as  at  the  very 
head  of  my  profession,  and  his  readiness  to  go  onward  in.  any  path 
that  I  might  point  out  as  likely  to  lead  to  success ;  he  also  corrected 
the  statement  of  his  letter  to  me  in  Bath  about  the  advance  of  money, 
saying  that  he  would  not  render  himself  liable  to  unknown  responsi- 
bilities, but  that  as  far  as  one,  two,  three,  or  even  more  hundred 
296 


J.    p.    HARLEY 

From  an  engrax-ing 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

pounds  would  go,  he  would  not  hesitate.  I  told  him  that  was  all  I 
could  expect,  and  all  that  I  myself  intended  to  venture ;  that  I  believed 
I  was  a  poorer  man  than  any  of  the  parties  summoned,  with  heavier 
claims  upon  me ;  and  that  nothing  could  induce  me  to  incur  an  uncertain 
responsibility.  Messrs.  Harley  and  Farren  came,  and  I  told  them  that 
I  had  summoned  them  to  learn  their  opinion  and  dispositions  in  the 
acknowledged  depressed  and  oppressed  state  of  an  art,  as  to  making 
some  effort  towards  its  re-establishment.  It  was  difficult  to  confine 
Messrs.  Harley  and  Farren  to  the  question;  they  would  ramble  to 
their  individual  wrongs  and  insults.  I  brought  them  back,  and 
requested  their  separate  declarations  of  their  resolutions  to  co-operate 
or  no.  I  addressed  myself  first  to  Bartley  as  the  eldest  present.  He, 
with  every  appearance  of  frankness,  gave  his  entire  assent  to  any  plan 
that  wore  a  face  of  likelihood  for  the  drama's  regeneration,  and  that 
as  far  as  £500  would  go,  he  would  venture.  I  replied,  "  That  was  all 
any  one  could  ask."  Harley  seemed  disposed  to  go  further,  but  rested 
upon  a  similar  declaration,  giving  in  his  hearty  adhesion.  Farren 
began  with  an  assertion  of  his  resolution  always  to  act  for  himself,  and 
digressed  into  complaints  of  the  treatment  he  had  received  from  the  ladies 
and  gentlemen  of  the  company  in  a  vote  of  censure  passed  on  him. 
I  used  the  most  conciliatory  language  I  could,  and  represented  Bartley 
and  Harley  (who  acquiesced  in  the  explanation)  as  having  been  misled 
into  concurrence  by  the  false  statement  of  Mr.  Cooper,  that  I  had 
subscribed  to  the  plan  of  a  general  reduction  of  the  companyh  salaries. 
They  both  expressed  their  regret  at  having  been  led  into  error  by  the 
deception  practised  on  them,  and  I  observed  to  Farren  that  he  must 
now  be  satisfied  with  the  amende  offered  him.  He  was  still  rambling 
and  desultory,  and  I  was  obliged,  as  courteously  as  I  could,  to  pin  him 
to  the  point.  He  then  at  last  gave  his  full  consent  to  go  the  full 
length  that  the  others  had  agreed  to,  and,  unless  our  union  were 
previously  dissolved  by  mutual  consent,  to  hold  himself  bound  to  its 
resolutions  if  acted  upon  unanimously ;  but  that  if  nothing  effectual 
were  accomplished  by  the  end  of  July,  he,  as  the  rest  of  us,  should 
then  be  free  to  pursue  his  own  separate  interest.  This  point  settled,  I 
asked  if  any  one  had  any  plan  to  propose  ?  Bartley  had  ;  namely,  to 
call  a  meeting  and  try  and  prevail  on  300  persons  to  lend  o£100  each 
towards  the  purchase  or  erection  of  a  theatre  for  the  drama,  without 
interest  or  free  admission,  but  with  the  security  of  the  building  for 
the  repayment  of  their  principal.  This  I  immediately  objected  to  as 
visionary  and  impracticable.     I  then  alluded  to  the  expostulation  to 

297 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

the  Committee  of  Drury  Lane,  which  I  had  thought  of,  upon  letting 
their  theatre  to  such  a  bankrupt  profligate  as  Mr.  Bunn,  and  entreating 
them  to  protect  the  actors  from  his  fraudulent  tyranny  by  excepting 
him  from  any  interference  with  the  theatre  in  their  next  lease — or  at 
least  requiring  them,  if  they  were  so  indifferent  to  the  trust  they 
held,  in  the  Patent  for  the  actor's  security,  not  to  oppose  their 
endeavour  to  gain  their  livelihood  by  employing  their  industry  in 
some  other  place.  This  was  partially  approved,  and  Bartley  suggested 
a  memorial  for  a  licence;  I  doubted  its  success,  if  presented  to  the 
King,  who  gives  a  licence  to  Mr.  Braham,  a  rich  man  in  active  employ, 
for  vaudevilles,  etc.,  but  would  refuse  us  because  we  need  the  profits 
of  our  calling,  and  act  the  works  of  Shakspeare  I  I  put  the  question, 
if  it  were  not  better  to  try  the  old  Bill  of  Bulwer  in  the  House  of 
Commons.  After  some  discussion,  we  agreed  to  meet  at  one  o'clock 
on  Monday,  and  consider  on  the  subject  of  a  memorial  to  the  Lord 
Chamberlain  or  to  the  King,  exposing  our  grievances,  and  supported 
by  the  names  and  recommendations  of  all  the  literary  and  influential 
men  we  could  procure  to  sign  it.  It  was  also  agreed  that,  previous  to 
its  presentation,  we  should,  as  I  counselled,  meet  the  D.L.  Committee 
and  confer  with  them  on  an  offer  started  by  Bartley,  namely,  to  risk 
with  them  the  chances  of  full  or  partial  rent  and  salaries.  On  this 
we  parted. 

April  24t/i. — In  reflecting  on  my  recent  communications  with  Mr. 
Cooper,  I  felt  prompted  by  the  indignant  feelings  which  his  dirty 
behaviour  excited  not  to  avoid  the  opportunity  of  expressing  them ;  but 
on  considering  what  benefit  I  should  draw  from  making  an  insult  more 
palpable  to  his  obtuse  understanding,  what  credit  I  could  gain  by 
merely  proving  a  truism  in  his  abject  and  base  character,  I  saw  at 
once  the  uselessness  of  departing  from  the  golden  rule  I  had  laid 
down  for  myself — never  to  quarrel  with  any  one,  and  resolved  not  to 
annoy  him  further.  I  was  very  glad  to  find,  on  turning  to  the  corre- 
spondence upon  the  part  of  Ctesiphon,  that  though  to  a  more  sensible 
and  honourable  man  the  sneering  tone  of  my  replies  would  have  been 
most  provoking,  yet  not  one  word  was  said  that  was  not  evoked  by 
the  stupid  manifest  falsehood  of  this  paltry  booby.  I  thank  God  most 
heartily  for  the  ability  to  look  the  world  in  the  face  and  say  I  owe  no 
man  in  it  one  farthing;  the  discharge  of  Beetham's  account  makes  the 
little  I  possess  my  own.  May  I  prosper  in  my  desire  and  endeavour 
to  increase  it  for  the  sake  of  the  blessed  beings  dependent  on  me. 
Amen !  Read  King  Henry,  and  heard  Nina  and  Willie  part  of  their 
298 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

lessons  for  the  sake  of  showing  to  dear  Catherine  some  useful  pre- 
cautions to  be  taken  in  their  instruction. 

London,  April  25th. — Came  to  town  by  Billings's  coach  with  Jerdan 
and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Power.  At  my  chambers  I  found  two  notes  from 
Mr.  Cooper,  one  "  not  understanding  "  my  disbelief  of  his  assertion — 
the  other  copying  a  note  from  Mr.  Bunn,  acting  the  manager  and 
braggadocio,  to  Mr.  Cooper.  The  only  tangible  matter  in  it  was  his 
exoneration  of  Mr.  Cooper  from  playing  Ctesiphon  for  my  Benefit 
("which  of  the  two  to  choose?  ");  he  also  commissioned  Mr.  Cooper 
to  ascertain  whether  I  would  relinquish  his  pledge — to  the  effect  of  my 
not  acting  in  after-pieces — as  in  the  event  of  my  refusal  he  should 
play  me  on  Malibran's  off-nights  through  my  range  of  characters  at 
half-price !  The  miserable  scoundrel — what  can  his  insane  and  stupid 
spite  hurt  me?  A  note  from  Forster — invitation  to  dinner  from  the 
Literary  Fund — and  a  letter  with  overture  from  Clarke.  On  my  way 
to  the  theatre  saw  myself  announced  for  Richard  III  Friday  next. 
Here  was  the  climax  of  this  dirty  reptile's  spite ;  I  laughed  out  in  the 
street  at  it.  It  actually  amused  me.  At  the  theatre  I  told  Mr. 
Cooper,  as  the  explanation  he  desired,  that  he  had  told  the  Company 
"I  had  given  my  assent  to  a  reduction  of  salary,"  when  I  had  not. 
He  said  he  had  not  said  so.  Immediately  afterwards  three  actors  in 
the  green-room  declared  that  he  had.  He  is  utterly  unworthy  of 
belief;  he  is  a  wretched  creature,  quite  fit  for  Mr.  Bunn's  dirty  work. 
I  told  him  I  was  quite  satisfied  with  Mr.  Bunn's  exoneration  of  him 
and  his  refusal.  I  now  understood  it  perfectly — that  I  had  no  reason 
to  return  to  his  inquiry,  except  that  I  should  hold  to  my  engagement. 

April  26th. — At  Garrick  Club,  where  I  dined  and  saw  the  papers. 
Met  Thackeray,^  who  has  spent  all  his  fortune  and  is  now  about  to 
settle  at  Paris,  I  believe,  as  an  artist. 

April  2nth. — Going  out  met  Dow,  and  we  set  out,  he  intending 
to  accompany  me  to  the  theatre ;  as  we  passed  along,  he  stopped  to 
read  the  play-bill,  and  exclaimed,  "What's  that? — 'The  three  first 
acts  of  Richard  III.*  "  So  it  was  announced  in  the  play-bill.  He 
observed,  "You  will  not  do  it?"  and  recommended  me  to  go  and 
declare  before  a  witness  to  Mr.  Cooper  that  I  would  go  on  and  ask 
the  audience  whether  they  would  have  the  play  in  its  mutilated  state 
or  complete.     I  parted  with  him  at  the  stage  door,  and  taking  the 

*  Thackeray  had  been  appointed  special  correspondent  of  the  Constitutional,  a  newly 
established  paper,  which  had  only  a  brief  existence.  Ilis  marriage  took  place  in  this  year 
(1836).     He  returned  to  London  in  1837. 

299 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

prompter  into  Mr.  Cooper's  room,  I  said  as  much,  not  at  all  angrily, 
but    rather  amused.     Mr.    Cooper    said  he   would    communicate    the 
message  to  Mr.  Bunn.     He  then  said  that  he  would  do  the  part  of 
Ctesiphon  (I)  if  I  would  send  the  book,  as  he  did  not  wish  any  ill- 
blood  to  exist  between  us.     I  answered  that  I  should  mention  it  to 
Serjeant   Talfourd,    who   would    express   himself   as    he    felt    on   the 
occasion ;  but  that  he  was  not  justified  in  refusing  the  part,  as  I  had 
been  compelled  to  decline  playing  Henry  IV  for  him,  but  did  so  in 
the  kindest  and  most  friendly  manner.     What  a  fool  a  man  is  to  do 
wrong !     He  must  either  show  himself  a  very  bad  man  by  persisting  in 
his  fault,  or  a  very  weak  one  often  in  retracting.     Dined  at  the  Garrick 
Club,   where  I   saw   newspapers   and   looked   over  Sketches    by   Boz. 
Saw  Duruset,  Durrant  and  Winston,  who  were  surprised  at  the  "  three 
acts."     Lay  down  in  bed  for  an  hour  and  a  half.     Acted  Macbeth 
very  fairly ;  I  had  to  goad  my  mind  into  the  character,  for  my  thoughts 
wandered  to  the  feverish  state  of  things  about  me.    Mrs.  Bartley  was  the 
Lady  Macbeth ;  she  should  take  some  of  the  blame  for  my  occasional 
inefficiency ;  she  was  so  bad,  so  monotonous,  so  devoid  of  all  thought 
or  feeling  of  character,  so  artificial,  and  yet,  as  it  were,  elaborating 
nothing.     There  was  no  misconception,  because  there  was  no  concep- 
tion, no  attempt  at  assumption ;  it  was  Mrs.   Bartley.     I  gave  Mr. 
Warde  a  hard  knock  on  the  head  inadvertently,  or  rather  through  his 
own  awkwardness,  for  which  I  was  sorry,  but  had  I  laid  it  open  he 
could  not  have  displayed  more  agony.     I  was  called  for  and  obliged 
to  go  forward  and  was  very  warmly  received.     Talfourd  came  to  my 
room.     I  told  him  of  Cooper's  assent,  and  he  informed  me  of  Serle's 
reluctant  declining.      Cooper   came   in,   and   Talfourd   thanked   him 
very  earnestly  y  which  I  would  not  have  donCf  but  Talfourd  is  a  pros- 
perous man  and  I  am  not.     Therefore  he  perhaps  is  right  and  I  am 
wrong.     I  donH  know.     Cooper  had  a  letter  from  Bunn,  which,  as  I 
had  told  him  at  the  beginning  of  the  play  that  I  would  act  the  three 
acts  of  Richard  III  without  comment,  I  would  not  hear,  as  I  could 
receive  no  insult  from  Mr.  Bunn.     Spoke  to  Templeton — all  dissatisfied. 
April   2,8th. — Went  to  the   theatre   and  rehearsed   in   the  saloon 
"  the  three  first  acts  of  '  King  Richard  III.'  "     Every  actor  expressing 
his  indignation  at  the  proceeding.     Went  to  the  Garrick  Club,  where 
the  subject  was  opened,  and  Planche  made  himself  very  conspicuous  as 
the  advocate  of  Mr.  Bunn,  and  by  his  despair  of  any  attempt  to  over- 
turn the  system  of  abuse  now  existing.    Collier  ^  was  there,  with  whom 

^  See  note,  p.  67. 
300 


1836]  THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

I  talked  also.  I  should,  if  alone,  have  touched  him  on  his  criticisms ; 
but  if  I  could  I  would  prefer  huijing  his  praise,  though  I  think  him  a 
fool.  Spoke  with  Harley  and  Meadows.  Wrote  a  sort  of  protest  on 
the  three  acts  to  Cooper,  but  on  consideration  felt  that  the  thing 
was  not  worth  it.  Had  met  Mr.  Jones  (Richard),  who  was  beginning 
to  condole  with  me  on  the  rascality  of  Bunn  and  the  annoyance  to 
which  I  was  exposed.  I  made  light  of  it.  Tried  in  chambers  to  read 
— ^in  vain ;  tried  to  compose  myself  by  sleep,  till  I  was  depressed  and 
unable  to  think  on  my  character  for  to-morrow  night ;  I  tried  and  could 
not.  Wrote  a  letter,  a  short  one,  to  Edward.  Took  tea,  did  what  I 
could  to  compose  and  soothe  my  spirits — it  would  not  be ;  my  inability 
to  prepare  myself  in  the  part  of  Richard — which  I  have  not  acted  for 
more  than  four  years — by  to-morrow  night,  quite  weighed  me  down ; 
I  tried  the  part ;  the  consciousness  of  not  having  time  to  duly  consider 
and  practise  it  quite  rendered  unavailing  all  attempts.  Passion  and 
angry  thoughts,  angry  to  a  degree  of  savageness  and  desperation, 
agitated  me  long  and  painfully.  What  can  recompense  me  for  being 
subject  to  the  spite  of  such  a  reptile  as  this  Bunn?  If  I  were  pre- 
pared in  the  character,  I  should  laugh ;  I  am  tormented  by  painful 
doubts  and  misgivings.  Sometimes  I  think  of  resigning  my  engage- 
ment, which  is  at  least  £250.  I  cannot  do  it ;  let  what  may  happen  I 
must  trust  in  God,  for  God  knows  I  have  very  few  friends  here.  I 
am  very  unhappy. 

April  ^9th. — Rose  with  uneasy  thoughts  and  in  a  very  disturbed 
state  of  mind,  which  I  reasoned  into  more  placidity  as  I  proceeded 
with  my  toilet,  but  I  had  difficulty  in  controlling  my  mind,  labouring 
under  the  alternate  sensations  of  exasperation  and  depression.  Wrote 
to  Dow  that  I  had  settled  on  doing  the  three  acts  to-night,  although 
it  was  against  my  engagement.  Called  on  Forster  on  my  way  to 
rehearsal,  who  told  me  of  Kemble's  expression  of  his  indignation  at 
Mr.  Bunn's  behaviour.  At  rehearsal  I  spoke  to  Cooper  on  the  stage, 
to  the  effect  that  it  was  not  worth  my  while  to  record  any  protest,  but 
that  I  would  not  do  such  a  thing  again  as  act  in  a  mutilated  play,  my 
engagement  not  warranting  the  fact.  Went  to  Garrick  Club ;  saw 
Bartley  and  Meadows ;  dined  and  looked  at  papers.  Spoke  to  Winston 
about  the  patents  and  licences  under  which  the  theatres  are  now  con- 
ducted. He  promised  to  send  me  copies,  etc.  Charles  Kemble  and 
Power  were  in  the  coffee-room,  and  speaking  of  this  scandalous  and 
insulting  proceeding.  On  coming  to  chambers  I  wrote  a  letter  to 
Lovell  on  the  subject  of  Bunn's  debt  to  him,  but  thinking  that  it  might 

301 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

seem  an  underhand  revenge,  I  threw  the  letter  in  the  fire.  My  spirits 
were  so  very  much  depressed,  so  overweighed  by  the  situation  in 
which  I  was  placed,  that  I  lay  down  to  compose  myself,  and  thought 
over  the  part  of  Richard  as  well  as  I  could.  Went  to  the  theatre ; 
was  tetchy  and  unhappy,  but  pushed  through  the  part  in  a  sort  of 
desperate  way  as  well  I  could.  It  is  not  easy  to  describe  the  state  of 
pent-up  feeling  of  anger,  shame,  and  desperate  passion  that  I  endured. 
As  I  came  off  the  stage,  ending  the  third  act  of  Richard,  in  passing 
by  Bunn's  door  I  opened  it,  and  unfortunately  he  was  there.  I  could 
not  contain  myself ;  I  exclaimed  :  *'  You  damned  scoundrel !  How  dare 
you  use  me  in  this  manner  ?  "  And  going  up  to  him  as  he  sat  on  the 
other  side  of  the  table,  I  struck  him  as  he  rose  a  backhanded  slap  across 
the  face.  I  did  not  hear  what  he  said,  but  I  dug  my  fist  into  him  as 
effectively  as  I  could ;  he  caught  hold  of  me,  and  got  at  one  time  the 
little  finger  of  my  left  hand  in  his  mouth,  and  bit  it.  I  exclaimed  : 
"You  rascal!  Would  you  bite?"  He  shouted  out:  "Murder! 
Murder!  "  and,  after  some  little  time,  several  persons  came  into  the 
room.  I  was  then  upon  the  sofa,  the  struggle  having  brought  us  right 
round  the  table.  Willmott,  the  prompter,  said  to  me  :  "  Sir,  you  had 
better  go  to  your  room,  you  had  better  go  to  your  room."  I  got  up 
accordingly,  and  walked  away,  whilst  he,  I  believe — for  I  did  not  dis- 
tinctly hear  him — was  speaking  in  abuse  of  me.*     Dow  came  into  my 

^  In  his  book  The  Stage  both  Before  and  Behind  the  Curtain  (1840)  Mr.  Bunn  gives 
the  following  version  of  the  affair  :  •'  On  Friday  the  29th  April,  I  was  sitting  at  my  desk,  a 
few  minutes  iMjfore  nine  o'clock,  and,  by  the  light  of  a  lamp  so  shaded  as  to  reflect  on  the 
table  but  obscure  the  room  generally,  I  was  examining  bills  and  documents  previous  to  their 
payment  on  the  following  morning,  when  without  the  slightest  note  of  preparation  my  door 
was  opened,  and  after  an  ejaculation  of,  'There,  you  villain,  take  that — and  that,'  I  was 
knocked  down,  one  of  my  eyes  completely  closed  up,  the  ankle  of  my  left  leg  which  I  am 
in  the  habit  of  passing  round  the  leg  of  the  chair  when  writing  violently  sprained,  my  person 
plentifully  soiled  with  blood,  lamp-oil  and  ink,  the  table  upset  and  Richard  III  holding 
me  down.  On  my  naturally  inquiring  if  he  meant  to  murder  me,  and  he  replying  in  the 
affirmative,  I  made  a  struggle  for  it,  threw  him  off  and  got  up  on  my  one  leg,  holding  him 
fast  by  the  collar,  and  finally  succeeded  in  getting  him  down  on  the  sofa,  where,  mutilated 
as  I  was,  I  would  have  made  him  remember  me,  but  for  the  interposition  of  the  people  who 
had  soon  filled  the  room.  Had  I  had  the  remotest  idea  of  the  visit,  I  should  not  only  have 
been  prepared,  but  not  very  particularly  alarmed  for  the  result,  because — 

'  I  was  most  ready  to  return  a  blow. 
And  would  not  brook  at  all  this  sort  of  thing 
In  my  hot  youth  when  George  the  Third  was  king.' 

But  this  was  nothing  more  nor  less  than  stabbing  a  man  in  the  dark.  If  the  provocation  had 
been  never  so  great,  nothing  could  justify  such  a  mode  of  resenting  it.  But  I  maintain  there 
was  no  provocation  given — certainly  none  was  intended." 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

room,  then  Forster  and  young  Longman.  Wallace  soon  after,  evi- 
dently deeply  grieved  at  the  occurrence.  They  talked  and  I  dressed, 
and  we  left  the  theatre  together.  Wallace  and  Forster,  on  Dow  leaving 
us,  went  home  with  me  and,  taking  tea,  discussed  the  probable  conse- 
quences of  this  most  indiscreet,  most  imprudent,  most  blameable 
action.  Forster  was  strongly  for  attempting  to  throw  Mr.  Bunn  over- 
board, on  the  score  of  character ;  but  Wallace  manifestly  felt,  as  I 
felt,  that  I  had  descended  to  his  level  by  raising  my  hand  against  him, 
and  that  I  was  personally  responsible  for  so  doing.  I  feel  that  I  am  ; 
and,  serious  and  painful  as  it  is,  I  will  do  my  duty.  As  I  read  the 
above  lines  I  am  still  more  struck  with  my  own  intemperate  and 
unfortunate  rashness.  I  would  have  gone  through  my  engagement  in 
forbearance  and  peace,  still  enduring  wrong  on  wrong,  as  for  six  years 
I  have  been  doing,  but  my  passions  mastered  me  and  I  sought  to  wreak 
them.  No  one  can  more  severely  condemn  my  precipitation  than 
myself.  No  enemy  can  censure  me  more  harshly,  no  friend  lament 
more  deeply  my  forgetfulness  of  all  I  ought  to  have  thought  upon. 
My  character  will  suffer  for  descending  so  low,  and  the  newspapers  will 
make  themselves  profit  of  my  folly.  Words  cannot  express  the  con- 
trition I  feel,  the  shame  I  endure.  In  my  own  village  I  shall  not  know 
what  I  am  thought  of ;  my  own  family  know  what  I  have  suffered, 
and  will  pity  me ;  but  I  have  committed  a  great  error.  God  Almighty 
forgive  me  my  forgetfulness  of  the  principles  I  have  laid  down  for 
myself,  and  grant  that  I  may  not  suffer  as  I  deserve  from  the  reflections 
which  I  dread  my  friends  will  pass  upon  me. 

April  SOth. — Read  for  about  an  hour  in  bed  last  night,  and  though 
at  first  restless  and  dreaming  of  being  in  the  custody  of  an  officer,  my 
sleep  was  sweet  and  refreshing.  In  opening  Johnson's  Lives  in  bed 
I  began  upon  the  narration  of  Savage's  unfortunate  rencontre  with 
Sinclair ;  the  idea  of  murder  presented  itself  so  painfully  and  strongly 
to  my  mind  that  I  turned  directly  for  relief  to  another  subject.  My 
thoughts  have  been  scorpions  to  me ;  the  estimation  I  have  lost  in 
society,  the  uncertainty  and  shame  with  which,  if  I  am  again  invited 
by  those  who  respected  me,  I  shall  meet  their  looks,  is  a  pimishment 
which  has  anguish  in  it.  All  I  can  do,  as  I  have  reduced  myself  to  a 
level  with  this  reptile,  is  to  allow  him  the  whole  advantage  of  it,  and 
accept  any  message  for  a  meeting  that  he  may  choose  to  send  me.  It 
is  some  expiation,  perhaps ;  at  all  events  I  feel  it  due  to  my  character 
and  to  my  children's  respect  for  me.  Who  will  say  this  alternative  is 
not  a  most  painful  one  ?     I  acknowledge  it,  but  I  will  go  through  with 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

it.  If  my  boys  live  (as  with  God's  blessing  I  trust  they  will)  to  read 
this  record  of  their  father's  ill-governed  mind,  I  hope  they  will  take 
warning  by  his  weakness  and  intemperance,  and  keep  their  passions 
under  due  restraint — the  first  means  of  happiness,  the  best  worldly 
effect  of  wisdom.  May  God  Almighty  bless  them,  and  direct  them 
so  that  they  may  acquire  a  perfect  self-control !  Henry  Smith  called ; 
it  was  evident  the  disastrous  report  of  last  night  had  brought  him. 
I  asked  him  if  there  was  anything  in  the  paper?  He  said  :  "  Yes  "  ; 
that  he  was  surprised  at  the  paragraph  in  the  Morning  Chronicle^ 
and  had  come  to  ask  if  anything  could  be  done.  Wallace,  Forster, 
and  afterwards  Dow,  came  and  consulted  on  what  was  best  to  be 
done ;  looked  at  the  Morning  Chronicley  and  Wallace  declining  to  be 
a  party  to  any  draught  of  a  counter-statement,  the  others  adjourned 
to  Forster's  chambers  and  soon  after  returned,  having  come  to  the 
conclusion  that  it  was  better  to  let  the  thing  pass.  Wallace  thought 
differently,  and  so  did  I,  agreeing  that  it  would  be  better  a  proper 
statement  should  appear  in  preference  to  an  improper  one.  Forster, 
therefore,  was  to  call  on  Collier,  etc. ;  Harley,  Farren  and  Bartley  called, 
first  speaking  on  this  unhappy  occurrence,  and  then  passing  on  to  the 
business  of  our  meeting.  When  we  came  to  enter  our  resolutions  on 
paper  Farren  hacked  out,  and  much  conversation  ensued.  At  last  we 
adjourned  to  give  Farren  time  to  consider  and  consult  his  brother 
George  (!)  on  the  expediency  of  his  joining  the  union.  Sent  a  note 
to  C.  Jones  for  my  salary.  The  words  "  no  answer  "  was  returned. 
Sent  to  Dunn  saying,  if  not  paid  I  should  proceed  against  Mr.  Bunn 
for  this  amount.  Mathews  called  to  see  me.  Wallace,  Dow  and 
Forster  called  again.  Sent  note  to  Mr.  Williams  for  his  book.  Felt 
ashamed  to  walk  through  the  streets,  and  took  a  coach ;  ashamed 
even  to  meet  the  look  of  the  people  in  the  street.  Dined  with  Power. 
Letters  from  Dunn,  saying  that  Mr.  Bunn  was  ill  at  Brompton ;  and 
from  Mr.  Fox,  kindly  offering  to  do  anything  to  set  the  matter  right 
with  the  public.  Drove  home  in  Dow's  cab.  Told  dearest  Catherine 
and  Letty  of  the  unfortunate  rashness  I  had  been  guilty  of.  They 
were  deeply  distressed. 

May  1st. — Called  on  Wallace,  whose  opinions  of  the  necessity  of 
going  out  if  called  were  now  unequivocally  declared,  and  in  which  I, 
as  before,  most  unreservedly  concurred.  Forster  called,  and  gave  me 
some  account  of  the  newspapers,  bringing  with  him  the  Observer  and 
Examiner,  which  had  plain  statements  of  my  degrading  act  of  intem- 
perance.    My  shame  has  been  endured  with  agony  of  heart,  and  wept 


1886]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

with  bitter  tears.  The  fair  fame  of  a  life  has  been  sullied  by  a 
moment's  want  of  self-command.  I  cannot  shelter  myself  from  the 
glaring  fact.  But  what  have  my  sufferings  not  been?  I  can  never, 
never,  during  my  life,  forgive  myself.  Forster  informed  me  that 
Stephen  Price  ^  had  been  stating  at  the  Garrick  Club  that  he  had 
cautioned  this  reptile,  *  that  if  he  persisted  in  goading  me  with  the 
annoyances  he  was  practising  against  me,  that  I  should  lose  my  self- 
restraint  and  inflict  severe  retribution  upon  him.'  He  knew  me,  it 
appears,  far  better  than  I  knew  myself.  Wrote  to  H.  Smith,  who 
most  kindly  had  called  twice  upon  me.     Talfourd,  to  whom  I  had 

sent  a  note,  inquiring  his  dinner-hour,  which  Mrs.  T answered, 

called  and  talked  on  the  lamented  occurrence.  He  told  me  of  the 
newspapers,  which  he  had  looked  at.  Wrote  an  answer  to  Mr.  Fox's 
kind  note.  Sent  a  note  to  Catherine,  enclosing  the  Observer  and 
Examinerf  by  Billings's  coach.     Went  to  dine  with  Talfourd.    Saw  on 

the  placard  of  the  Age:  "Great  Fight.     B — nn  and  M y."     It 

makes  me  sick  to  think  of  it.  Felt  occasionally  uncomfortable  at 
Talfourd's,  but  on  the  whole  was  more  comfortable  than  I  had  antici- 
pated. Met  the  Bullers;  I  thought  C.  Buller  rather  cold,  and  that 
he  was  desirous  of  avoiding  a  more  intimate  acquaintance — I  have 
brought  all  such  aversions  on  myself.  I  have  no  right  to  fortify  myself 
in  my  pride  against  the  feeling  of  regret  at  these  consequences  of  my 
folly.  Met  Kenyon,^  whom  I  liked,  Chisholm,  young  Ramohun  Roy, 
and  many  other  agreeable  men.  I  was  much  relieved  by  the  conversa- 
tion. Returning  to  chambers,  tried  to  write,  but  was  overcome  by 
sleep. 

May  2nd. — My  thoughts  were  little  less  distressing  to  me  than  on 
the  preceding  days;  my  character  as  a  gentleman  is  "fallen  from  its 
high  estate,"  and  I  can  no  longer  fall  back  upon  the  untainted 
reputation  which  hitherto  has  supported  me.  Wallace  and  Forster 
called  and  returned  to  the  painful  subject.  There  was  nothing  in  the 
Times  or  Herald  or  Chronicle,  which  I  thought  most  kind.  Dow 
called,  and  suggested  an  objection  to  my  right  of  demand  for  salary 
upon  the  plea  that  my  assault  on  this  brute  vitiated  the  engagement. 
I  hope  it  is  not  founded  in  that  infernal  law.  Harley  called,  and  after 
a  great  deal  of  rigmarole  and  wordy  conversation  I  discovered  that 

^  An  American  speculator  in  theatres ;  he  had  been  lessee  of  Drury  Lane  some  years 
before. 

•  John  Kenyon  (1784- 1856);  litth^ateur  and  philanthropist,  best  known  as  an  intimate 
friend  of  the  Brownings. 

VOL.  I.  X  305 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

he  wanted  the  pretence  of  Farren's  secession  from  the  combination  of 
actors  to  serve  as  a  plea  for  his  own.  Oh  I  "  what  these  actors  are!  " 
He  expressed  his  distrust  of  Bartley  as  well  as  of  Farren.  I  stated 
that  I  would  prove  them  to-morrow,  and  if  they  fell  back  I  could  not 

help  it.     Notes  from  Mr.  Williams,  a  stranger,  and  from  Y.  X.  S , 

both  writing  on  the  subject  of  this  villain  Bunn.  Mr.  Pritchard, 
C.G.T.  also  left  his  card.  Mr.  Lovell  called  and  mentioned  his  pro- 
ceeding against  B ,  which  I  advised  him  not  to  urge  on  for  some 

days.  Wrote  a  short  letter  to  dear  Catherine.  On  my  way  to  the 
Garrick  Club  saw  a  face  in  a  carriage  I  thought  I  knew,  and  imme- 
diately, as  I  passed,  Malibran  put  her  head  out  of  the  window  and 
waved  her  hand  to  me.  She  seemed  bridally  attired.  How  different 
her  lot  from  mine !  She  with  fame,  affluence,  idolatry  on  every  side ; 
I,  poor,  struggling  to  maintain  a  doubtful  reputation,  which  my  own 
rashness  endangers,  and  looking,  as  my  greatest  good,  to  an  inde- 
pendence which  may  be  just  large  enough  to  educate  my  children 
liberally  and  raise  them  above  want ;  even  this  is  now  very  doubtful. 
What  would  there  be  in  this  world  for  me  to  live  upon  it,  if  I  had  not 
my  wife  and  children  ?  God  help  me !  Amen !  Jerdan  came  to  my 
dinner  table  at  the  Garrick  Club.  I  spoke  to  no  one,  until  each 
accosted  me.  Lord  William  Lennox  ^  was  the  only  acquaintance  there 
that  did  not,  and  I  sat  next  to  him,  my  back  turned  to  him.  His  is 
a  notice  I  can  lose  without  loss  of  honour.  Saw  the  papers.  Talked 
with  Stephen  Price,  J.  Smith,  Blood,  Willett,  Douglas,  etc.,  who  were 
all  very  civil  to  me.  Dow  called  to  report  to  me  his  conversation  upon 
his  apprehension  of  the  objection  with  Talfourd,  who  also  had  his 
doubts.  Returning  to  chambers,  had  a  letter  from  dear  Catherine, 
which  I  answered. 

May  3rd. — Messrs.  Harley  and  Bartley  called,  and  we  waited 
upwards  of  an  hour  for  Farren,  during  which  time  Mr.  Bartley 
informed  me  that  they  had  found  a  boy,  a  nephew  of  Algar's,  to  come 
forward  to  say  that  he  was  at  Bunn's  door  when  I  approached  it,  that 
I  pushed  him  aside,  entered,  and  that  he  saw  me  strike  him,  then  ran 

*  Lord  William  Pitt  Lennox  (1799-1881) ;  a  younger  son  of  the  fourth  Duke  of  Richmond 
who,  as  Colonel  Lennox,  fought  the  famous  duel  with  the  Duke  of  York  in  1 789,  and  gave 
the  ball  at  Brussels  before  the  battle  of  Waterloo.  Lord  William,  after  serving  in  the  Blues, 
and  sitting  for  a  couple  of  years  in  the  House  of  Commons,  became  a  club  lounger  and 
dabbler  in  literature,  contributing  to  the  magazines,  and,  later  on,  publishing  more  than  one 
set  of  reminiscences.  He  was  a  good  deal  addicted  to  theatrical  society,  and  as  a  "man 
about  town  "  would  no  doubt  have  found  Manager  Bunn — rollicking,  convivial,  and  always 
ready  to  give  him  the  run  of  his  theatres — a  more  congenial  associate  than  the  austere  and 
not  too  sociable  Macready. 
306 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

to  the  prompter  Willmott,  and  said :  "  Mr.  Macready  and  Mr.  Bunn 
are  fighting."  Mr.  Willmott  then  declares  that  he  came  into  the 
room,  and  saw  me  upon  the  sofa,  holding  Mr.  Bunn's  hair  in  my  two 
hands,  Mr.  Bunn  over  me  and  striking  me ;  that  he  swung  Mr.  Bunn 
round  to  the  other  side,  and  desired  me  to  go  to  my  room.  As 
gross  a  perjury  as  ever  the  mouth  of  a  villain  uttered — so  help  me 
God !  So  may  my  soul  know  peace  here  and  hereafter !  Talfourd 
called.  I  thought  he  seemed  as  much  disconcerted  at  Ion  being  with- 
drawn as  at  my  suffering.  He  recommended  a  note  to  Cooper  to 
extort,  if  possible,  a  notice  of  dismissal.  I  wrote  it  and  he  approved 
it.  A  note  arrived  from  Mr.  Farren,  excusing  his  absence,  and  on 
several  selfish,  silly,  and  contemptible  grounds  receding  from  the 
union  he  had  entered  into.  The  two  other  worthies,  Messrs.  Bartley 
and  Harley,  took  the  walk  after  him. 

May  4!th. — I  looked  in  at  the  Temple  to  see  Talfourd.  He  told 
me  he  was  going  to  Lady  Lansdowne's  to-morrow  evening.  This  was 
a  little  piece  of  innocent  vanity,  and  quite  excusable,  but  rather 
amusing.  How  are  our  fortunes  changed  from  our  respective  con- 
ditions upon  our  early  acquaintance !  How  more  than  ever  at  this 
present  moment !  Several  times  to-day  I  have  wished  to  be  rid  of 
existence.     I  am  very  unhappy. 

May  5th. — Slept  better  than  I  have  done  for  some  nights,  but  the 
weight  upon  my  spirits  is  not  to  be  dispelled.  I  have  made  my  own 
unhappiness,  and  in  one  little  moment  have  rendered  years  as  nothing. 
There  are  not  many  persons  who  suffer  keener  stings  of  self-reproach 
than  I  do ;  I  am  indeed  most  unhappy.  Talfourd  called,  having  recon- 
sidered the  subject  of  the  advertisement  of  the  Benefit,  to  dissuade  me 
from  it,  but  rather  wishing  me  to  wait.  Dear  Catherine  arrived  with 
Willie  and  baby ;  it  was  a  comfort  to  see  them — to  look  on  what  I 
love  and  feel  them  near  me.  Dear  Catherine  had  brought  a  letter 
from  Kenneth  with  an  offer  of  £200  for  twelve  nights  from  Mr. 
Osbaldiston,  and  an  invitation  from  Calcraft.  I  wrote  to  Kenneth 
wishing  to  see  him.  Kenneth  called ;  we  talked  on  the  matter,  and 
he  took  down  my  modification  of  Mr.  Osbaldiston 's  offer.  I  observed 
that  I  did  not  wish  to  trade  upon,  or  raise  my  terms  on,  this  unfortun- 
ate occurrence ;  but  that  I  could  not,  under  the  circumstances  of  the 
season,  take  less  than  had  been  offered  to  other  actors ;  that  I  did  not 
wish  him  to  say  £240  for  twelve  nights,  but  would  he  say  £200  for 
ten  nights,  or  £120  for  six?  For  Ion  I  also  stipulated.  At  my 
chambers  I  found  Dow,  who  went  upstairs  with  me.      A  letter  was 

X  2  307 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1886 

lying  on  the  table  for  me,  the  hand  strange  to  me.  On  opening  the 
envelope  I  found  a  letter  from  the  wretched  villain  who  has  caused  me 
all  this  suffering — to  the  effect  that  he  considered  my  engagement, 
etc.,  *' cancelled  and  determined"  by  my  ^'attempt  to  assassinate" 
him  on  Friday  evening  and  that  he  had  given  orders  to  the  door- 
keepers, etc.,  not  to  admit  me  "on  any  pretence  whatever."  It  was 
a  great  relief  to  me  to  receive  this  letter — and  I  was  as  much,  if  not 
more,  gratified  by  his  accusation  of  my  "  attempt  to  assassinate  "  than 
by  the  release  I  have  obtained  from  the  perplexing  dilemma  in  which 
his  silence  left  me.  I  trust  it  is  for  good ;  I  hope  it  is,  and  humbly, 
devoutly  and  penitently  do  I  pray  God  it  will  be.  Amen  !  What  may 
be  the  further  result  of  this  most  miserable  forgetfulness  of  decency, 
pride,  and  station  on  my  part  I  cannot  tell,  but  if  it  were  for  ourselves 
to  judge  of  the  proportioning  punishment  to  crime  I  should  be  dis- 
posed to  say  my  sufferings  have  exceeded  my  offence.  I  know,  how- 
ever, that  it  is  not  so — that  the  great  law  of  morality  fits  the  torture 

to  the  crime,  and  I,  at  the  age  I  have  reached My  God !     My 

God !  can  I  ever  be  forgiven  ?  Can  I  ever  think  without  sickening 
shame  of  my  insane  conduct  ?  Forgive  me,  oh  my  God !  And  you, 
my  blessed  and  beloved  children,  pity  while  you  condemn  this  intem- 
perate ebullition  of  your  unhappy  parent,  who  has  so  deeply  sunk  his 
own  reputation  and  thereby  prejudiced  your  interests.  Had  I  learned, 
what  I  have  tried  to  teach  myself,  that  first  and  best  lesson  of  self- 
control,  I  never  should  have  tarnished  my  character  and  have  poisoned 
with  the  remembrance  of  this  shocking  folly  every  feeling  of  my  future 
life.  There  have  been  moments  when  I  have  felt  it  not  worth  retain- 
ing, and  when,  I  fear — ^but  I  must  not  look  back  upon  my  madness. 
To  Almighty  God  I  lift  up  my  prayer  in  penitence  and  shame — implor- 
ing His  forgiveness,  and  His  grace  to  regulate  my  evil  passions  for  the 
time  to  come.     Amen  !     Amen  !     Amen  I 

May  6th. — In  reflecting  on  the  letter  received  from  Mr.  Bunn  last 
night,  it  occurred  to  me  that  the  occasion  should  not  be  lost  of  fixing 
the  question  as  to  the  honourable  feeling  which  has  actuated  me.  I 
wrote  to  Wallace,  wishing  his  presence  and  advice,  and  wrote  out 
the  substance  of  what  I  thought  ought  to  be  returned  to  Mr.  Bunn ;  I 
also  sent  to  Kenneth,  requesting  him  to  see  me.  A  note  from  Mr. 
Conquest  of  the  Garrick  theatre,  Whitechapel  ( !),  offering  me  an 
engagement  for  six  nights — to  divide  the  house,  ensuring  me  ,£100. 
A  very  kind  letter,  and  one  that  would  comfort  me,  if  anything  could, 
from  Colonel  Birch ;  an  offer  from  Clarke  of  £165  for  ten  nights  at 
308 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Liverpool,  etc.  Answered  Mr.  Conquest,  civilly  declining  his  ojffer. 
Wrote  to  Dow  wishing  to  see  him  before  I  sent  to  Cooper  for  my 
book.  Mr.  Kenneth  called,  and  I  assented  to  £200  for  ten  nights, 
giving  in  two  nights  and  to  take  my  Benefit  on  the  same  terms  Mr. 
C.  Kemble  had  his.  He  left  me  to  see  Mr.  Osbaldiston.  Shall  I 
ever  know  peace  of  heart  again?  The  very  thought  of  meeting  such 
men  as  Young, ^  so  prudent,  so  discreet,  and  therefore  so  respected, 
of  knowing  that  high-minded  men  like  Colonel  D'Aguilar  read  in  the 
newspapers  my  wretched  self-degradation,  tortures  and  agonizes  me. 
I  close  my  eyes  with  the  hated  idea,  and  it  awakens  me  with  the  earliest 
morning.  I  know  what  misery  is,  that  misery  which  cannot  be  escaped  : 
it  is  "myself  "  that  am  the  "Hell  "  that  is  consuming  me.  Kenneth 
returned  with  the  terms  of  Mr.  Osbaldiston,  which  I  accepted,  viz.  £200 
for  ten  nights,  and  a  Benefit  divided,  after  <£20,  beginning  Wednes- 
day, May  11th,  and  ending  Saturday,  June  11th.  I  gave  my  promise 
to  act  two  nights  in  addition  gratuitously.  Kenneth  then  went  for 
Mr.  Osbaldiston,  and,  returning  with  him,  we  interchanged  agreements, 
which  I  pray  God  may  prosper.  C.  Buller  has  not  called  upon  me — 
our  acquaintance  is  therefore  at  an  end.  I  am  sorry,  but  it  does  not 
seem,  from  this  evidence,  of  great  value.  Wrote  to  Talfourd  for  books 
and  frank.  Sent  notes  to  Drury  Lane  for  my  books  and  clothes. 
Robert  brought  me  his  account,  which  I  paid,  and  made  him  a  present. 
Forster  and  Dow  called — determined  on  dining  and  going  down  to 
Elstree.  Walked  with  Dow  to  his  chambers  and  on  to  his  house ; 
dined  and  came  in  his  cab  home.  Found  all  well,  thank  God !  No 
subject  of  conversation  but  this  hateful  yet  inevitable  one,  except  when 
Dow  breathed  out  his  own  lamentations  on  the  excessive  amount  of  his 
upholsterer's  bill.  This  was  misery  to  him,  and  how  light  and  endur- 
able it  seems  to  me.  Looked  at  my  darling  children  as  they  slept. 
God  Almighty  bless  them  and  may  they  never  know  the  restless  anguish 
of  my  mind.     Amen  ! 

May  1th. — Walked  out  to  call  on  Henry  Smith ;  in  the  Co  vent 
Garden  play-bills  my  name  was  blazing  in  large  red  letters  at  the  head 
of  the  announcement.  May  it  be  prosperous !  Went  to  the  Garrick 
Club.  On  my  way  met  Bartley,  Meadows,  and  Power ;  they  spoke  of 
the  affair,  stating  that  Bunn  had  given  confused  accounts,  and  that 
he  admitted  his  inability  to  recollect  distinctly  the  occurrence — that 
one  statement  was  I  had  knocked  the  table  over,  and  that  Stephen 
Price  had  observed  upon  that,  that  a  person  could  not  overturn  that 
^  The  actor  Charles  Maync  Young  (see  note,  p.  34). 


THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY  [1836 

table;  but  if  I  did,  who  had  reinstated  it  with  its  ctcs.  when  the 
people  entered?  Power  addressed  me  in  reply  to  a  question  I  put, 
whether  I  should  be  attacked  on  my  appearance,  and  they  all  assented 
to  his  assertion  that  there  would  be  no  opposition ;  I  do  not  feel 
confident  of  that.  White  came  up  and  returned  with  me  to  the  Club. 
Saw  Price  and  T.  Hill  at  the  Club ;  G.  Robins.  Kemble  came  in  as  I 
was  going  out.  I  told  the  waiter  to  ask  him  to  step  into  the 
strangers'  room,  which  he  did.  I  said  that  it  had  gratified  me  much 
to  hear  of  the  liberal  way  in  which  he  had  spoken  of  me  before  and 
subsequently  to  this  unfortunate  affair ;  that  I  had  commissioned  my 
friend  Talfourd  to  say  as  much  to  him,  but,  seing  him  there,  I  chose 
to  anticipate  his  intention  and  to  express  myself  the  sense  I  entertained 
of  his  liberal  manner  of  mentioning  my  name,  having  so  long  been  in 
a  state  of  hostility  with  him.  He  replied  that  he  had  never  cherished 
any  hostile  feeling  towards  me,  and  that  his  language  had  always  been 
in  the  same  tone;  that  every  one  must  feel  indignant  at  the  infamous 
conduct  of  this  Bunn  towards  me,  and  that  he  had  ever  entertained 
the  best  feelings  for  me.  I  drew  off  my  glove,  and  said  that  I  had 
much  pleasure  in  acknowledging  the  liberality  of  his  conduct.  He 
shook  hands  very  cordially,  saying  that  it  had  been  always  a  matter  of 
regret  to  him  that  our  acquaintance  had  been  interrupted,  and  I 
replied  that  I  regretted  this  reconcilement  had  been  forced  from  me 
by  the  generous  and  liberal  behaviour  which  he  had  shown,  and  had 
not  rather  proceeded  spontaneously  from  me.  We  then  talked  a  little 
of  the  circumstance,  he  observing  that  he  was  glad  Bunn  had  not 
challenged  me,  as  my  name  would  be  so  much  more  mixed  up  with 
him ;  and  I  added,  that  I  was  not  quite  sure  how  far  it  would  have 
been  better  or  not,  as  I  had  made  arrangements  for  receiving  his 
message,  to  which  he  observed  :  "  If  you  were  challenged  of  course  you 
must  go  out;  every  man  must  go  out,  when  challenged."  We  parted 
in  the  hall ;  my  feelings  were  excited  and  won  over  on  this  occasion ; 
but  I  cannot  help  pausing  to  remark  how  very  much  I  yield  to  impulse, 
instead  of  guiding  my  course  through  life  on  a  stern,  undeviating 
principle  of  justice.  I  call  charity  only  justice.  I  fear  I  am  often 
weak  on  this  account,  and  seem  vacillating  where  I  ought  to  be  unmov- 
ing.  I  certainly  feel  no  ill-will  to  Kemble ;  on  the  contrary,  feel  kindly 
disposed  to  him  on  account  of  his  language,  etc.,  at  this  juncture, 
which,  it  is  manifest,  he  wished  me  to  be  acquainted  with.  But  Kemble 
has  not  redeemed  those  errors  in  his  character  which  leave  him  open 
to  overwhelming  censure.  Should  I  then  have  obeyed  a  kindly  and 
310 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

sort  of  grateful  feeling,  or  have  weighed  in  my  judgment  the 
value,  motive,  and  sincerity  of  his  conduct?  I  am  not  quite  clear.^ 
Sent  the  books  of  Ion  with  a  note  to  Mr.  Osbaldiston ;  sent  a 
letter  which  I  had  written  to  Ellen  Tree,  and  returned  home  by 
Billings  reading  Ion  on  the  way.  Found  my  children  all  well,  thank 
God! 

London,  May  9th. — Came  to  town  by  Billings's,  reading  Ion  by 
the  way;  alighted  at  Cambridge  Terrace,  and  called  on  Wallace,  who 
told  me  that  the  Sunday  papers  had  not  extended  their  comments  on 
this  wretched  affair,  which  I  was  glad  to  hear.  I  submitted  to  him 
the  address  I  thought  of  delivering  on  Wednesday,  which  he  considered 
as  too  lofty,  and  as  attacking  Mr.  Bunn.  Knowing  that  I  am  not  a 
proper  and  dispassionate  judge  of  my  own  condition,  I  so  far  yielded 
to  his  observations  as  to  leave  the  paper  with  him,  which  he  is  to  return 
with  his  own  views  of  the  style  of  defence.  Called  at  Covent  Garden 
theatre.    Saw  Mr.  Osbaldiston.    Settled  the  night  of  Ion:  26th  instant. 

Spoke  about  orders,  dressing-room,  etc.,  in  all  of  which  Mr.  O 

seemed  desirous  of  accommodating  me.  Was  introduced  to  Mr. 
Fitzball  ^  (  ! ),  the  Victor  Hugo,  as  he  terms  himself,  of  England — the 
"  Victor  No-go  "  in  Mr.  Keeley's  nomenclature.  Dined  at  the  Garrick 
Club,  where  I  am  regarded  with  an  "eye  askance  "  by  the  rouS  set, 
the  Lennox,  Stanhope,  and  black-leg  party ;  this  will  not  kill  me.  Saw 
Dowling ;  '  Meadows;  Villiers,  who  spoke  to  me  of  D'Aguilar  and 
Bulwer ;  Stanfield ;  and  Simpson,  who  renewed  the  expression  of  his 
wish  to  paint  my  picture.  Read  a  very  amusing  article  on  Sir  A. 
Agnew  *  in  Fraser^s  Magazine.  Forster  gave  me  an  account  of  some 
opinions,  which,  I  think,  were  Power^s  (with  whom  he  spent  yesterday), 

1  Auffust  Sik. — I  now  am — that  I  was,  as  I  too  requently  am,  precipitate,  and  acted  on 
impvilse  in  a  matter  that  should  have  been  duly  deliberated  on. 

*  Edward  Fitzball  (1792-1873)  originally  a  printer's  apprentice  ;  wrote  several  dramas, 
some  moderately  successful ;  also  various  romances,  lyrics,  and  librettos.  His  Reminiscences 
app)eared  in  1859. 

*  Probably  Serjeant  Dowling,  mentioned  by  Serjeant  Ballantine  in  his  Experiences 
as  a  frequenter  of  the  Club.  To  judge  by  an  anecdote  in  the  Experiences,  he  was  of  a  type 
that  was  turned  to  good  account  by  Dickens.  As  a  junior,  he  had  been  engaged  in  a  case 
where  his  opportunities  of  distinction  were  confined  to  the  asking  of  a  single  question,  namely 
the  address  of  a  witness.  This  not  very  striking  achievement  was  recorded  in  one  of  the 
succeeding  Sunday's  newspapers  with  which  he  was  connected  in  the  following  terms  :  "  Here 
Mr.  Dowling  rose,  and  with  a  most  impressive  tone  and  manner  asked  the  witness  where 
he  lived." 

*  Sir  Andrew  Agnew,  Bart.  (1793- 1849),  *  Scotch  Sabbatarian,  who  led  an  abortive 
agitation  for  a  Lord's  Day  Protection  Act. 

3" 


THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1886 

upon  my  taking  an  engagement  from  Bunn  at  all.  What  could  I  do? 
At  chambers  read  over  my  address  and  read  Macbeth.  Wrote  a  note 
to  Catherine ;  not  happy,  not  comfortable. 

May  10th. — Went  to  rehearsal,  calling  on  Forster  by  the  way, 
who  related  to  me  and  showed  me  a  statement  in  the  Chronicle  of  the 
occurrence  that  Jerdan  had  cut  to  pieces  (as  he  had  said  at  Elstree 
he  would  do)  Maclise's  portrait  of  Sir  J.  Soane,^  who  has  been  absurdly 
and  tetchily  desirous  of  destroying  that  too  faithful  record  of  his 
personal  appearance.  At  Garrick  Club  saw  the  papers;  and  from 
thence  went  to  take  a  warm  bath,  in  hopes  of  reducing  my  rheuma- 
tism. My  spirits  continued  very  low,  though  I  am  quite  resolved  not 
to  let  these  vile  rascals  nor  my  own  imprudence  defeat  my  piu'pose  of 
labouring  for  my  children.  Tu  ne  cede  malts  is  my  motto,  and  may 
God  speed  me  and  prosper  me  in  overcoming  them  !  Amen  !  Amen  ! 
Amen!  An  oration  from  Mr.  George  Jones — I  have  no  time  for 
nonsense  now.  Every  interval  of  my  day  was  given  to  the  words  I 
have  to  utter  to-morrow,  which  I  cannot  get  the  complete  command 
of.  Sent  notes  to  Palmer  and  Davis  about  Ion's  dress.  Sent  my 
thanks,  etc.,  to  Covent  Garden  theatre.  Notes,  very  kind  and  com- 
forting ones,  from  dear  Catherine  and  Fanny  Twiss,  both  of  which  I 
briefly  answered. 

May  11th. — My  prayers  have  been  heard!  My  heart  lifts  up 
itself  in  humble  but  fervent  gratitude  to  God  Almighty  for  His  con- 
stant goodness  to  one  so  unworthy  of  it.  Blessed  and  praised  be  His 
name,  and  may  I  by  my  future  life  show  my  gratitude  in  acts  of  virtue 
and  a  continued  course  of  piety  and  benevolence  I  Amen  !  Amen  ! 
Amen !  Arose  nervous  and  uneasy ;  sent  a  note  to  Wallace,  request- 
ing him  to  send  round  to  me  at  the  theatre  this  evening,  if  it  should 
not  seem  necessary  to  speak.  A  short  but  most  kind  letter  from  Ellen 
Tree;  it  quite  affected  me.  A  clerk  brought  a  note  from  G.  Barker, 
as  I  was  going  out,  informing  me  that  Evans  had  inquired  of  him  if 

he  was  not  my  solicitor,  as  he  wished  to  serve  a  process  on  me,  he  (B ) 

offering  him  friendly  assistance  towards  settling  the  matter,  which  he 
thought  should  not  come  before  the  public.  I  answered  it,  that  I  had 
placed  myself  in  my  counsel's  hands,  who  had  disposed  of  me,  thanking 
him  kindly  for  his  offer.  He  was  so  indifferent  in  my  affairs  before 
that,  although  I  felt  disposed  to  call  back  my  note  and  take  his  offer, 

^  Sir  John  Soane  (1753-1837) ;  R.A.,  son  of  a  mason ;  his  real  name  was  Swan  ;  an 
eminent  architect  and  donor  to  the  nation  of  the  museum  bearin{  his  name  in  Lincoln's  Inn 
Fields. 

312 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

I  am  not,  on  reflection,  sorry  that  I  did  not.  Went  to  rehearsal,  then 
to  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw  and  talked  with  C.  Dance  and  Power. 
Dance  walked  with  me  to  chambers.  Called  on  Forster,  who  reported 
some  impertinences  of  Messrs.  Poole  and  Dunn,  which  annoyed  me. 
It  is  difiicult,  in  such  a  nervous  state  as  I  have  been  in,  to  discipline 
one's  mind,  or  listen  to  one's  judgment.  Sent  a  note  to  Talfourd  for 
the  introduction  to  Messrs.  White  and  Whitmore,^  which  he  sent 
in  the  course  of  the  afternoon.  Dow  called  and  rather  cheered  me  by 
the  view  he  took  of  my  case ;  I  lay  down,  and  tried  to  lay  my  nerves 
dowrif  as  it  were,  in  a  state  of  perfect  passiveness;  but  I  was  very 
nervous — nervous — could  not  think  of  the  play — now  and  then  went 
over  the  address,  but  was  uncertain  of  it.  Went  to  the  theatre  and, 
in  dressing,  still  felt  my  nerves  were  untrue  to  me;  looked  over  the 
early  part  of  the  play,  and  just  before  I  went  on  I  screwed  up  myself 
to  care  for  nothing,  and  went  boldly  and  resolutely  forward.  On  my 
entrance  in  Macbeth  the  pit — indeed,  the  house — rose,  and  waved  hats 
and  handkerchiefs,  cheering  in  the  most  fervent  and  enthusiastic  manner. 
It  lasted  so  long  that  it  rather  overcame  me ;  but  I  entered  on  my  own 
task  determined  to  do  my  best,  and,  I  think,  I  never  acted  Macbeth 
more  really  or  altogether  better.  The  applause  was  tumultuous  at  the 
fall  of  the  curtain,  and  the  person  who  went  on  was  driven  back  with 
cries  of  "No,"  and  I  went  before  them.  When  silence  was  gained,  I 
spoke  an  address  as  follows  :  "  Ladies  and  Gentlemen, — Under  ordinary 
circumstances  I  should  receive  the  manifestation  of  your  kindness  with 
silent  acknowledgment ;  but  I  cannot  disguise  from  myself  the  fact 
that  the  circumstances  which  have  led  to  my  engagement  at  this 
theatre,  after  an  absence  of  many  years,  are  uppermost  in  your  minds. 
Into  those  circumstances  I  will  not  enter  further  than  by  two 
general  observations  :  first,  that  I  was  subjected  in  cold  blood,  from 
motives  which  I  will  not  characterize,  to  a  series  of  studied  and  annoy- 
ing and  mortifying  provocations,  personal  and  professional.  The 
second,  that,  suffering  under  these  accumulated  provocations,  I  was 
betrayed,  in  a  moment  of  unguarded  passion,  into  an  intemperate  and 
imprudent  act,  for  which  I  feel,  and  shall  never  cease  to  feel,  the 
deepest  and  most  poignant  self-reproach  and  regret.  It  is  to  you, 
ladies  and  gentlemen,  and  to  myself,  that  I  owe  this  declaration,  and 
I  make  it  with  unaffected  sincerity.  To  liberal  and  generous  minds, 
I  think,  I  need  say  no  more.  I  cannot  resist  thanking  you." 
This  seemed  to  affect  many  and  engage  the  sympathies  of  all. 
^  A  firm  of  solicitors,  whom  Macready  thenceforward  frequently  consulted. 


THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

Talfourd,  Dow,  Smith,  Forster,  Wallace,  Maclise  and  the  editors  oE 
the  Post  and  Herald,  who  wished  a  report  of  the  speech,  came  into 
my  room,  but  I  was  too  nervous  to  have  pleasure  from  their  presence. 
All  were  delighted,  and  I  felt  greatly  relieved  and  truly  grateful.  Mr. 
Fitzball  came  in  with  offers  of  accommodation,  attentions,  etc. 
Wallace  walked  part  of  the  way  with  me  to  chambers,  and  when  there 
Bourne  came  in  from  the  Westminster  dinner.  He  sat  whilst  I  wrote 
out  a  copy  of  my  address,  and  then  most  kindly  took  it  to  the  Morning 
Post  office.  Mason  had  left  a  note  inviting  me  to  dine  with  him  next 
week.  A  dear  letter  from  Catherine — God  bless  her!  The  messenger 
from  the  Post,  called  but  the  note  had  been  taken  by  Bourne.  Wrote 
a  line  to  dear  Catherine.  Thank  God !  Thank  God !  Thank 
God! 

May  ISth. — Passed  on  to  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw  the  even- 
ing papers  of  yesterday,  which  were  all  kind,  and  the  Times  of  this 
day.     It  is  difficult  to  speak  or  think  with  temper  of  such  a  nasty  fellow 
as  the  conductor  of  this  paper ;  it  is  a  waste  of  honest  indignation  to 
lose  words  or  thought  on  anjrthing  so  profligate  and  flagitious.     It 
copied  my  address,  and  added  the  falsest  and  most  offensive  comments 
it  could  apply.     I  could  eat  little  dinner  after  reading  it.     G.  Dance 
came  up  and  spoke  to  me  about  it,  the  purposed  dinner  to  Mr.  Bunn  ( !) 
observing   how   ill   Mr.    Westmacott   was   used.      In   talking   of   the 
matter  I  observed  that  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  send  a  message 
to  Mr.  Bunn,  let  him  behave  as  he  would  have  done.     After  leaving 
him  and  reaching  Lincoln's  Inn  Fields,  I  recollected  what  I  had  said 
and,  apprehensive  of  a  misconstruction  on  the  part  of  Dance,  posted 
back  to  set  him  right  on  the  point,  and  stating  that  I  had  taken 
immediate  measures  to  give  him  a  meeting.     He  said  he  was  aware  of 
that;  but  I  was  glad  I  had  taken  the  precaution.     O'Hanlon  sent  a 
kind,   congratulatory  note   for  orders,   which    I    sent  him.      Chilton 
called,  which  I  thought  kind.     He  told  me  that  I  could  not  set  off  my 
loss  against  Bunn,  but  that  I  must  proceed  by  a  cross-action,  on  which 
I   resolved,   if  attacked.     Wrote  a   note   of  thanks   to   Mr.    Black,* 
Morning  Chronicle,  for  his  kind  attention.     Sent  a  note  to  Wallace, 
wishing  to  see  him  to-night  about  the  Times.     Lay  down  in  a  most 
unhappy  state  of  mind.     Went  to  the  theatre  and  acted  Virginius  in 
a  splendid  manner,  quite  bearing  the  house  along  with  me.     My  recep- 
tion was  most  enthusiastic  on  my  entrance,  and  when  I  appeared  at  last 

*  John   Black   (1783-1855)  ;  forj  over  a  quarter  of  a  century  editor  of  the  Morning 
Chronicle. 

3H 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

in  obedience  to  the  call  of  the  audience.  Thought  of  going  to  the 
Club,  but  feeling  myself  in  a  very  irritable  and  excited  state,  deemed 
it  prudent  not  to  do  so.  Went  to  chambers  in  a  wretched,  wretched 
state  of  mind ;  thought  of  the  villain  who  had  in  so  cowardly  and 
infamous  a  manner  attacked  me  in  the  Times.  Felt  that  life  was  not 
worth  holding  on  such  terms,  and,  but  for  those  dear  ones  who  make 
it  a  duty  to  me,  think  I  should  either  lay  it  down  or  put  it  to  the 
hazard  in  punishing  the  scoundrels  who  are  thus  torturing  me.  These 
are  neither  religious  nor  philosophic  thoughts,  but  I  feel  myself  merely 
a  weak,  frail  creature,  the  sport  of  passion,  and  in  consequence  a  very 
wretched  being. 

May  IMh. — I  allowed  my  candle  to  burn  till  some  time  after  one, 
and  again  awoke  in  twilight  at  about  three — lying  in  a  very  restless 
state  both  as  to  mind  and  body.  I  am  not  what  I  have  been!  Ichahod! 
Ichahod!  It  was  a  night  of  misery.  The  shoemaker  Davies  called 
about  some  sandals.  I  do  not  like  the  man ;  he  is  inaccurate.  Wrote 
notes  to  Bulwer  in  reply  to  his — to  C.  Buller,  with  invitation  for 
himself  and  brother,  which  I  do  not  expect  him  to  accept,  and  do  not 
care  that  he  should — to  White,  to  Ransom's,  enclosing  cheque  for 
!£54  10s.  6d. — to  Robertson  for  salary.  Palmer  called,  and  I  settled 
with  him  about  the  first  dress  for  Ion.  A  poor  man  called  to  ask  for 
a  subscription.  I  am  in  no  state  of  mind  to  shut  my  heart  or  purse 
to  the  necessitous.  Called  at  the  offices  of  Messrs.  White  and  Whit- 
more.     Found  there   that   the   process   had   been    served   by   Evans, 

Bunn's  attorney,  and  that  they,  W and  W ,  had  entered  an 

appearance  for  me,  so  the  battle  is  begun.  May  God  Almighty  be 
my  aid  and  defence  through  it !  Amen  !  Mr.  Whitmore  promised  to 
send  Mr.  Gray  to  me,  and  I  returned  to  chambers.  Wrote  notes  of 
thanks,  etc.,  to  H.  Smith  and  to  Mason,  naming  Thursday  to  dine 
with  him  next  week.  Forster  called,  and  in  referring  to  the  blackguard 
l>ehaviour  of  the  Times ^  I  could  not  speak.  I  covered  my  face  with 
my  grasping  hands,  and  was  obliged  to  go  into  the  next  room,  where 
some  cold  water,  etc.,  restored  me  to  a  composed  appearance,  and  I 
returned  with  an  appearance  of  cheerfulness.  Wrote  to  Calcraft, 
inquiring  of  him  what  would  be  his  evidence  on  the  Bridal.  Mr.  Gray 
called,  and  we  talked  over  the  matter  of  the  cross-action,  which  he 
thought  should  be  proceeded  on  immediately,  I,  of  course,  concurring ; 
he  seemed  to  think  I  might  go  for  the  whole  of  my  engagement,  and 
it  seems  to  me  only  fair;  but  who  can  divine  the  scope  of  law?  He 
took  my  engagement  with  him,  and  I  appointed  to  call  on  him  at  a 

3^5 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1886 

quarter  past  nine  on  Monday  next.  Sent  the  advertisement  of  Ion  to 
the  newspapers.  Came  home  by  Bryant,  whom  I  very  nearly  lost  by 
being  late.  Read  the  kind,  the  very  kind,  notices  in  the  Court  Journal 
and  the  Literary  Gazette.  Had  gone  several  miles  before  I  could 
sufficiently  withdraw  my  mind  from  this  hateful  subject  to  attend  to 
an)i;hing ;  at  length  began  to  try  to  read  Ion.  Oh,  what  a  state  am 
I  in  to  read !  Found  all  my  dear  ones  well  at  home.  This  is  some 
comfort  indeed. 

Elstree,  May  15th. — But  one  subject  seems  to  fill  my  mind ;  sorrow 
and  shame  alternately  depress  and  agitate  my  heart.  When  I  think 
of  those  who  might  have  been  disposed  to  esteem  me  and  whose  esteem 
I  coveted,  I  sink  at  once  into  despondency ;  when  the  thought  of  any 
proud  and  fastidious  person  occurs  to  me,  I  feel  that  I  have  no  longer 
the  power  to  repel  his  insolence  with  a  lofty  and  unaltered  brow.  I 
feel  my  degradation.  I  did  not  think  I  could  have  borne  so  much. 
There  was  no  change  in  the  subject  of  my  ruminations  till  I  came 
downstairs.  Looked  at  the  newspaper,  which  gave  a  very  judicious 
and  brief  comment  upon  the  extracted  account  of  the  Morning  Post. 
Rehearsed  Stranger.  Talfourd  and  White  came.  Talfourd  read  Ion 
in  the  green-room,  and  was  evidently  happy  in  his  employment.  Who 
would  not  be?  Should  have  acted  the  Stranger  well,  but  was  quite 
bouleversS  by  the  drunJcen  or  insane  fustian  efforts  of  Mr.  Barnett  ^ 
in  Steinfax.  He  was  really  disgusting.  I  was  called  for  by  the 
audience,  but  would  not  go  on  without  Miss  H.  Faucit,  whom  I  led 
forward.  Went  afterwards  to  Mrs.  Baker's,  where  I  saw  Palmer,  Mrs. 
Jameson,  Mrs.  Marcet  ^  (not  introduced),  Talfourd  and  White,  with 
whom  I  adjourned  to  Garrick  Club — where  was  Mr.  Poole,  to  whom 
and  to  Mr.  Planche,  the  sticklers  for  Mr.  Bunn,  I  was  very  distant. 
On  reflection  I  was  wrong — it  was  undignified. 

May  19th. — Rehearsed  Ion,  which  seems  to  me  to  come  out  in  the 
acting — we  shall  see.  Spoke  about  my  name  being  put  in  the  bills 
by  Mr.  Osbaldiston  after  Mr.  Kemble's.  This  is  to  me  of  no  import- 
ance, but  I  have  no  right  to  be  placed  out  of  my  own  rank  before  the 
public.  They,  as  a  body,  know  nothing  of  the  art  and  only  take  their 
opinions  from  what  they  are  told,  therefore  I  have  no  right  to  let  them 
be  told  what  is  not  true  and  against  my  interest.  A  note  from  Heraud 
for  tickets,  which  I  answered,  addressing  him,  "  My  dear  sir."     When 

*  Presumably  Morris  Barnett  ( 1 800- 1856) ;  dramatist  and  comedian. 

*  Mrs.  Jane  Marcet,  nife  Ha]dimand(l769-l858) ;  of  Swiss  origin  ;  the  well-known  author 
of  "  popular  science  "  text-books. 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

my  note  had  gone  I  perceived  his  style  to  me  was  "  My  dear  Macready." 
I  therefore  wrote  another  note  to  despatch  in  the  morning,  that  he 
may  not  think  me  repulsive  or  proud. 

May  ^Oth. — Went  to  rehearsal,  where  I  took  all  the  pains  I  could. 
A  note  of  invitation  from  O'Hanlon,  which  I  answered,  and  wrote  to 
Walker,  expressing  my  inability  to  visit  him.     Wrote  also  a  letter  of 
thanks  to  Miss  Huddart.     Henry  Earle  called  as  I  was  dining,  and  he 
lunched  with  me.     He  told  me  that  none  who  knew  me  would  think 
worse  of  me  for  the  late  occiu-rence.     It  may  be  so,  but  it  is  their 
indulgence  that  leads  them  to  such  lenient  judgment.     I  have  forgotten 
the  dues  of  a  gentleman ;  it  cannot  be  cloaked  or  denied.     It  is  very 
true  that  I  am  not  sought  for  by  persons  of  rank,  as  they  are  termed, 
by  persons  of  distinction,  but  heretofore  I  could  repel  this  indifference 
with  indifference.     I  feel  my  title  to  rank  with  any  man  as  a  gentleman 
unquestionable ;  how  can  I  now  answer  the  objections  that  may  be  made 
against  me  ?     Why  are  we  sent  into  this  world  ? — to  undergo  a  torture 
which  makes  the  fabled  physical  endurances  of  Hell  an  enviable  alterna- 
tive.     If  I  were  alone,  I  could  bear  my  disgust  with  the  world  to 
solitude,  and  die  and  rot  in  peace  in  some  lonely  corner — but  I  am 
chained  to  bear  the  consciousness  of  the  curse  that  is  upon  me,  with 
witnesses  of  my  misery.     I  lay  down  and  slept  long  and  deeply  from 
very   weariness.      Acted   Hamlet   as   well   as  I   could   under   a   most 
excruciating  attack  of  rheumatism  and  much  fatigue.     I  think  I  did 
much  of  the  part  well,  though  not  so  well  as  when  last  I  played  at 
Drury  Lane :    I  was  called  for  and  made  my  obeisances.     Knowles, 
Forster,  and  Talfourd  afterwards  came  into  my  room.    Talfourd  talked 
much  of  his  play ;  my  cause  seems  quite  an  unimportant  matter ;  he 
is  right  to  revel  in  his  happiness :  he  deserves  it,  he  has  earned  it,  and 
it  is  fit  he  should  enjoy  it.     But  the  contrast  of  our  several  conditions 
now,  and  sixteen  years  ago,  is  most  humiliating  to  me.     I  seemed  then 
to  have  fortune  and  honour  before  me,  and  he  was  a  clever,  industrious 
young  lawyer.     I  am  now  a  wretch!     He  is  all  he  can  wish  to  be — 
courted  and  caressed  by  the  wise,  the  illustrious,  and  the  titled  many! 
But  he  well  merits  all — all. 

May  21st. — A  note  from  Bulwer  told  me  that  his  play  was  rejected 
at  Covent  Garden. 

May  23rd. — Went  to  the  theatre.  The  audience  were  so  noisy  that 
some  scenes — the  dagger  soliloquy,  that  with  the  murderers  and  Lady 
Macbeth — could  not  be  heard ;  but  where  I  could  be  heard  I  did  not 
act  badly,  and  the  house  was  very  warm  in  its  testimonies  of  approba- 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

tion.     I  was  called  for,  and  obliged  to  appear  at  the  end  of  the  play. 
Browning,  Talfourd,  and  Forster  came  into  my  room  and  stayed  some 

time.     I  recollect  the  disgust  with  which  I  heard  of  a  Mr.  A ,  a 

singer,  lighting  with  a  Mr.  B ,  thinking  to  myself  how  impossible 

it  was  that  I  could  descend  to  hft  my  hand  against  any  one.     Is  it,  then, 
to  be  wondered  at  that  I  feel  my  degradation  as  I  do  ? 

May  26th. — Rehearsed  Ion  with  much  care.     Went  to  the  theatre 
and  acted  the  character  as  well  as  I  have  ever  played  any  previous  one, 
with  more  of  inspiration,  more  complete  abandonment,  more  infusion 
of  myself  into  another  being,  than  I  have  been  able  to  attain  in  my 
performances  for  some  time,  particularly  in  the  devotion  of  Ion  to  the 
destruction   of  Adrastus,  the  parting   with  Clemanthe,  and  the  last 
scene.     But — as  if  events  arise  and  are  forgotten  without  leaving  the 
benefit  of  experience  in  their  passage — I  lost  my  temper  again  to-night : 
a  particular  scene  for  a  particular  picturesque  effect  had  been  decided 
on  in  the  morning,  and  when  I  came  to  look  at  its  disposition,  I  found 
another,  to  which  I  had  objected  in  the  morning,  substituted  for  it. 
I  was  foolish  enough  to  be  very  angry,  very  much  agitated,  and  yet  all 
passed  off,  and  I  might  have  been  so  much  better  by  the  government 
of  my  temper,  which  effected  nothing  hut  my  own  exposure.     Oh ! 
how  bitter — how  very  bitter  is  the  reflection  that  follows  these  unwise, 
unworthy  transports  of  passion  I     Was  called  for  very  enthusiastically 
by  the  audience,  and  cheered  on  my  appearance  most  heartily.    I  said  : 
*  It  would  be  affectation  to  conceal  the  peculiar  pleasure  in  receiving 
their  congratulatory  compliment  on  this  occasion.     It  was  indeed  most 
gratifying  to  me ;  and  only  checked  by  the  painful  consideration  tJiat 
this  might  be  perhaps  the  last  new  play  I  ever  might  have  the  honour 
of  producing   before   them.     (Loud  cries  of  *  No !   No !  ')     However 
that  might  be,  the  grateful  recollection  of  their  kindness  would  never 
leave  me.'     Miss  Ellen  Tree,  I  heard,  was  afterwards  called  forward. 
Talfourd  came  into  my  room  and  heartily  shook  hands  with  me  and 
thanked  me.     He  said  something  about  Mr.  Wallack  wishing  him  to 
go  on  the  stage,  as  they  were  calling,  but  it  would  not  be  right.     I 
said:  "On  no  account  in  the  world."     He  shortly  left  me,  and,  as  I 
heard,  was  made  to  go  forward  to  the  front  of  his  box,  and  receive  the 
enthusiastic  tribute  of  the  house's  grateful  delight.     How  happy  he 
must  have  been!     Smith,  Dow,  Browning,  Forster,  Richardson,  etc., 
I  cannot  remember  all,  came  into  my  room.     I  dressed,  having  sent 
to  Catherine  to  request  her  not  to  wait  for  me,  but  to  go  at  once  to 
Talfourd 's,  and,  taking  Knowles  in  the  carriage,  went  there.     I  felt 
318 


T.  N.  TALFOURD 
From  an  engrarinri 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

tranquilly  happy.  Happy  in  the  splendid  assemblage  that  had  graced 
the  occasion,  happy  in  the  triumphant  issue  of  this  doubtful  experi- 
ment, and  happy  in  the  sensation  of  reUef  that  attended  the  conscious- 
ness of  its  being  achieved.  I  was  also  happy  in  having  been  an  agent 
in  the  pleasing  work  of  making  others  happy.  At  Talfourd's  I  met 
Wordsworth,  who  pinned  me ;  Walter  Savage  Landor,  to  whom  I  was 
introduced,  and  whom  I  very  much  liked;  Stanfield,  Browning,  Price, 
Miss  Mitford — I  cannot  remember  all.  Forster  came  to  me  after 
supper,  which  was  sefved  in  a  very  elegant  style,  and  insisted  that  it 
was  expected  in  the  room  that  I  should  propose  Talfourd's  health, 
whose  birthday  it  was.  After  some  contest,  and  on  the  understanding 
that  no  further  speeches  should  be  made,  and  briefly  alluding  to  the 
day  being  the  birthday  of  the  poet,  as  well  as  to  the  beautiful  play 
that  night  presented,  I  proposed  Talfourd's  health.  He  returned 
thanks  and  afterwards  proposed  my  health  with  much  of  eulogy,  to 
which  I  replied  as  I  best  could.  Subsequently,  Mrs.  Talfourd's  health 
was  proposed  by  Douglas,  and  was  very  pleasantly  and  humorously 
acknowledged  by  Talfourd,  who  in  a  very  lively  vein  ascribed  to  her 
the  influence  which  had  given  birth  to  much  that  had  been  honoured 
with  the  praise  of  the  company — that,  in  fact,  the  whole  merit  of  the 
production  was  hers,  etc.  It  became  then  a  succession  of  personal 
toasts.  Miss  E.  Tree,  Miss  Mitford,  Mr.  Stanfield,  Mr.  Price,  Mr. 
Poole,  ^  who  made  a  most  egregious  ass  of  himself;  Browning,  and  who 
else  I  do  not  know.  I  was  very  happily  placed  between  Wordsworth 
and  Landor,  with  Browning  opposite,  and  Mrs.  Talfourd  next  but  one 
— ^Talfourd  within  two.  I  talked  much  with  my  two  illustrious  neigh- 
bours. Wordsworth  seemed  pleased  when  I  pointed  out  the  passage 
in  Ion,  of  a  "devious  fancy,"  etc.,  as  having  been  suggested  by  the 
lines  he  had  once  quoted  to  me  from  a  MS.  tragedy  of  his;  he  smiled 
and  said,  "Yes,  I  noticed  them,"  and  then  he  went  on — 

*'  Action  is  transitory — a  step— a  blow, 
The  motion  of  a  muscle — this  way  or  that — 
'Tis  done  ;  and  in  the  after  vacancy 
We  wonder  at  ourselves  like  men  betrayed." 

Landor,  in  talking  of  dramatic  composition,  said  he  had  not  the  con- 
structive faculty,  that  he  could  only  set  persons  talking,  all  the  rest 
was  chance.  He  promised  to  send  me  his  play  of  Count  Julian,  and 
expressed  himself  desirous  of  improving  his  acquaintance  with  me.     I 

*  See  note,  p.  224. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

spoke  to  Miss  Mitford,  observing  in  badinage  that  the  present  occasion 
should  stimulate  her  to  write  a  play;  she  quickly  said,  "Will  you  act 
it?"  I  was  silent.  Catherine,  who  sat  near  her  and  Harness,  told 
me  that  he  said :  "  Aye,  hold  him  to  that."  When  I  heard  that  that 
was  Harness,  the  man  who,  I  believe,  has  inflicted  such  a  deep  and 
assassin-like  wound  upon  me,  through  Blackwood's  Magazine,  I  could 
not  repress  the  expression  of  indignant  contempt  which  found  its  way 
to  my  face,  and  over-gloomed  the  happy  feeling  that  had  before  been 
there.  Moroseness — unchecked  will — when  am  I  to  learn  and  practise 
a  sensible,  restrained  and  philosophic  bearing?  We  went  home  to- 
gether; Catherine,  Letitia,  Miss  Haworth,  and  myself  in  the  carriage, 
talking  of  nothing  but  the  evening's  events — this  happy  evening.  We 
reached  home  about  two,  and  went  to  bed  with  the  birds  singing  their 
morning  song  in  our  tired  ears.     Thank  God ! 

Elstreey  May  SfHth. — Rose,  quite  worn  out — with  a  feeling  of  weari- 
ness and  incapacity  to  employ  myself  that  was  almost  distressing.  I 
did  write  two  notes — one  to  Mr.  Notter,  about  a  fan  of  Miss  Haworth's, 
and  another  to  Mr.  Farren  on  the  subject  of  Miss  Faucit's  Benefit. 
Miss  Haworth  remained  with  us  through  the  day ;  like  ourselves,  I 
suppose  the  excitement  of  yesterday  left  her  indisposed  to  do  more 
than  talk  over  and  ruminate  upon  its  occurrences  and  sensations.  I 
lay  upon  the  grass  or  strolled  about  the  garden  all  the  morning ;  in  the 
afternoon,  walked  down  to  the  reservoir  with  Nina  and  Willie,  taking 
the  dogs  with  us.  It  was  a  quiet,  happy,  idle,  languid  day,  but  such 
an  one  as  yesterday  is  an  event  in  a  life,  and  requires  an  interval  of 
rest  to  sober  oneself  back  to  one's  ordinary  state.  In  the  evening 
I  walked  home  with  Miss  Haworth — a  beautiful  moonlight.  Oh, 
what  a  world  is  this,  where  only  love  and  benevolent  feelings  have 
existence !  And  how  shocking — how  wretched  and  disgusting  the 
converse ! 

London,  May  ^Sth. — On  my  way  to  London  vainly  strove  to  occupy 
my  thoughts  with  the  character  of  Cassius ;  deep  and  heavy  sleep  came 
on  me — the  effects  of  the  past  excitement  and  fatigue  soon  weighed 
me  down.  Found  at  my  chambers  notes  and  cards  of  congratulation 
on  the  success  of  Ion ;  sent  a  card  with  message  to  Messrs.  White  and 
Whitmore.  Called  on  Forster,  who  gave  me  the  criticism  of  the  news- 
papers for  Catherine,  of  which  that  of  the  Times  was  the  warmest, 
though  all  were  enthusiastic.  The  Chronicle  was  most  niggardly. 
Went  to  the  theatre  to  rehearse  Cassius,  and  found  the  call-man  had 
made  a  mistake  of  two  hours  in  my  call.  Saw  Knowles,  who  was 
320 


1836]         THE  DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

vehement  in  his  praise.  A  note  from  Arthur  Buller ;  fervent  in  his 
congratulations,  and  confessing  his  surprise  at  tlie  result.  At  the 
Garrick  Club,  where  I  dined,  I  saw  the  other  papers — an  equal  tone  held 
throughout.  Saw  Bentley,  Meadows,  Dow,  Fladgate,  etc.  Forster 
called  in  for  a  short  time.  I  acted  the  Stranger  but  indifferently — still 
was  called  for  by  the  audience,  and  led  on  Miss  H.  Faucit,  who  was  not. 

May  20th. — Felt  rather  more  refreshed  than  I  had  yet  done  since 
Thursday,  but  was  overcome  by  sleep  through  the  greater  part  of  my 
journey  to  town  by  Billings,  and  discomfited  in  my  efforts  to  read 
Cassius.  Arriving  at  chambers  I  found  a  note  from  Browning.  What 
can  I  say  upon  it?  It  was  a  tribute  which  remunerated  me  from  the 
annoyances  and  cares  of  years :  it  was  one  of  the  very  highest,  may  I 
not  say  the  highest,  honour  I  have  through  life  received.  Received 
in  bed  a  note  from  Forster  requesting  me  to  call  or  to  receive  him,  as 
Landor  was  with  him  and  desirous  of  seeing  me.  I  could  not  get  up 
and  dress  myself,  and  thus  lost  the  pleasure  of  again  seeing  Landor. 
Went  to  the  theatre ;  the  audience  were  rather  noisy  through  the  early 
scenes,  but  I  was  not  disposed  to  yield  to  them.  I  do  not  think  that 
my  reception  was  quite  so  long  as  Kemble's,  or  I  did  not  use  sufiicient 
generalship  with  it ;  but  I  acted  Cassius  in  my  very  best  style,  and  made 
the  audience  feel  it.  I  was  good ;  I  was  the  character ;  I  felt  it.  The 
audience  were  rapid  and  vehement  in  their  applause ;  I  was  first  and 
most  loudly  called  for  at  the  end  of  the  play.  Knowles  got  through 
Brutus  far  better  than  I  anticipated ;  he  came  into  my  room,  and  said 
that  I  was  wonderful.  I  was  certainly  pleased  with  my  own  perform- 
ance this  evening ;  it  was  fresh,  characteristic,  and  majestic.  Talfourd 
came  into  my  room  and,  among  other  things,  reported  the  enthusiastic 
praise  of  Lady  Blessington  and  D'Orsay  of  my  performance  of  Ion. 
The  praises  of  Knowles,  the  barrister,  pleased  me  still  more.  He  told 
Talfourd  he  had  laughed  at  the  idea  of  my  performing  Ion;  that  he 
hated  me  ten  years  since ;  and  that  he  could  not  have  believed  that  such 
an  improvement  could  have  taken  place  in  any  one.  To  Forster  also 
he  observed  how  I  must  have  studied.  Went  to  Garrick  Club,  where 
Barham  and  Lincoln  Stanhope  came  directly  to  chat  with  me.  Supped 
with  Talfourd,  and  an  Ion  supper  for  Friday  next  was  settled. 
Received  a  very  nice  note  from  Lane.  I  feel  truly  grateful  for  the 
improved  condition  of  my  reputation.  May  I  by  my  future  conduct 
sustain  and  merit  it !  Oh,  God,  in  whom  I  hope  and  trust,  direct  and 
support  me ! 

May  31st. — Looked  at  the  newspapers  which,  as  for  a  Benefit,  do 
VOL,  I.  Y  321 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

not  notice  my  performance  last  night.  Received  a  note  from  Mr. 
Lovell,  informing  me  of  the  settlement  of  his  dues  by  Mr.  Bunn. 
Mr.  Holt  called,  but  I  obtained  little  or  no  information  from  him. 
He  promised  to  look  for  the  account  of  Mr.  Bunn's  trial  v.  VVest- 
macott,  in  which  he  got  one  shilling  damages.  Went  to  rehearse 
Clemanthe's  scenes  of  Ion,  and  passed  on  to  the  Garrick  Club,  where 
I  looked  at  the  other  newspapers;  they  contained  nothing.  Met 
Winston  on  my  return,  who  told  me  that  it  had  been  given  out  that 
I  had  engaged  for  Covent  Garden  next  season.  Mr.  Fitzball  came 
up,  and  walked  with  me  to  Great  Queen  Street.  Asking  my  terms,  I 
said  I  should  not  take  less  than  £40  per  week,  on  my  late  Drury  Lane 
articles — and  I  would  not  say  that  I  would  take  that.  Called  on 
Forster  for  a  few  minutes.  Wrote  out  the  heads  of  my  case  for 
Messrs.  White  and  Whitmore ;  wrote  to  Browning,  sending  the  note 
to  Forster.  George  Macready  called  with  his  diploma  as  surgeon, 
which  he  obtained  last  night.  I  am  very  grateful  to  God  Almighty 
for  having  given  me  the  power  of  saving  this  young  man  from  an 
idle,  dissolute  and  ignorant  life  as  a  subordinate  player,  and  of  placing 
him  in  a  creditable  sphere  of  life.     I  was  truly  grateful  in  thinking 

of  it ;  gave  him  a  sovereign  to  amuse  himself.^    Called  on  Messrs.  W 

and  W ,  gave  them  my  case,  and  talked  with  them  ;  it  seems  settled 

to  let  judgment  go  by  default.  Left  a  card  at  Mr.  Norton's.  Called 
on  Miss  Ellen  Tree,  and  sat  with  her  a  short  time.  Dined  at  the 
Garrick  Club  and  saw  the  magazines.  The  Metropolitan  has  a  friendly 
notice  of  me ;  read  part  of  Forster's  review  of  Paracelsus,  which  is 
very  good. 

June  1st. — Rehearsed  Ion,  and  have  all  the  feeling  of  second  night 
about  me,  and  the  uncomfortable  addition  of  a  strange  actress.  Miss 
H.  Faucit,  whom  I  do  not  like ;  she  wants  heart. ^  Farren  spoke  to 
me  about  his  engagement  for  next  season  at  this  theatre.  Looked  in 
for  a  few  minutes  to  the  Garrick  Club.  Saw  Fladgate,  Dance,  etc. 
Coming  to  dine  at  chambers,  wrote  to  Mrs.  Robertson,  to  Dow,  to 
H.  Smith,  to  Blanchard,  and  to  Catherine.  After  dinner  lay  down 
and  slept  long  and  heavily,  but  forced  myself  to  look  over  the  play 
before  I  rose.  This  lawsuit  hangs  heavy  and  wearingly  upon  my 
mind — my  thoughts  are  prevented  and  dogged  by  the  alternate  con- 

^  Macready  had  been  most  helpful  and  generous  to  this  young  man,  a  half-brother  by 
his  father's  second  marriage,  and  was  not  too  well  requited. 

*  Though  a  true  friend  of  Miss  Faucit,  Macready  never  ranked  her  as  a  first-rate  actress ; 
with  considerable  abilities  and  attractiveness,  in  his  opinion  she  lacked  genius  and  magnetic 
quality. 

322 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

jectures  and  misgivings  about  this  odious  business.  Went  to  the 
theatre.  The  house  was  remarkably  well  filled,  but  I  had  all  the 
languor  and  inertness  and  absence  of  a  second  night  upon  me.  I 
strove  against  it,  but  ineffectually.  I  acted  Ion  but  indifferently.  I 
was  called  for  by  the  audience,  and  made  my  acknowledgments. 
Browning,  Forster,  Wallace  came  into  my  room.  I  went  with  Forster 
into  Mrs.  Talfourd's  private  box.  They  are  much  displeased  with 
Miss  Mitford,^  who  seems  to  be  showing  herself  well  up.  She  was  bad 
from  the  beginning.     How  strange  with  so  much  talent ! 

June  2nd. — My  mind  was  restless  and  uneasy.  How  can  I  expect 
to  find  ease  under  this  liability,  to  which  my  madness  has  exposed 
me ;  I  can  call  it,  can  regard  it  as  nothing  else.  Looked  at  the  news- 
papers. Prepared  my  letters,  etc.,  for  my  solicitors.  Gray  called, 
and  appointed  a  meeting  at  two  in  Talfourd's  chambers.  Continued 
my  employment  with  the  letters,  when  C.  BuUer  surprised  me  with  a 
call.  He  sat  some  time.  A  letter  from  Birmingham — a  note  from 
Smith  and  one  from  Dow,  accepting  invitation  for  Sunday.  Forster 
called.  Went  with  me  to  the  Temple,  where  I  met  Talfourd,  Whit- 
more,  and  Gray.  The  chances,  etc.,  of  the  different  measures  were 
discussed.  Talfourd  said  that  Lord  Denman  ^  had  said  the  damages 
ought  to  be  a  farthing ;  but  my  nature  is  not  sanguine.  It  was  all  but 
concluded  on  to  let  judgment  go  by  default.  I  cannot,  of  course,  be 
a  judge  in  such  a  case.^  Went  to  Covent  Garden  about  Talfourd's 
private  box.  Lovell  called  and  told  me  that  Mr.  Hugh  Evans,  the 
solicitor  against  me,  had  said  that  it  was  believed  I  had  instigated 
him,  Lovell,  to  this  proceeding.  I  was  very  angry  about  it.  Lost 
my  evening  in  angry  efforts  to  write  a  cool  note  to  the  blackguard 
solicitor,  Mr.  Evans.     Sick  with  anger  and  disgust. 

June  Srd. — Wrote  a  note  with  orders  to  Wallace,  and  one  to 
Catherine.  Read  over  Ion,  and  then  proceeded  to  sort  the  letters 
necessary  for  the  case  of  Mr.  Bunn,  and  to  make  fair  copies  of  my 

*  Miss  Mitford  was  then  slaying  with  Talfourd.  Macready  was  prejudiced  against  her 
on  account  of  some  difference  between  them  as  to  a  play  of  hers  which  he  accepted  and 
afterwards  required  to  be  altered,  without,  it  seems,  allowing  her  sufficient  time.  He  was 
consequently  attacked  by  an  anonymous  contributor  to  Blackwooifs  Magazine^  who  he 
always  believed  was  Harness. 

^  The  Lord  Chief  Justice. 

'  The  assessment  in  damages  in  Bunn  v.  Macready  took  place  before  Mr.  Under-Sheriff 
Burchell  and  a  Jury,  at  the  Sheriffs  Court,  Red  Lion  Square,  on  June  29,  1836.  Mr. 
Thesiger  (afterwards  Lord  Chelmsford)  and  Mr.  Ogle  were  counsel  for  the  plaintiff; 
Serjeant  Talfourd  and  Mr.  Whitmore  for  the  defendant.  No  evidence  was  given  for  the 
defendant.     The  damages  were  assessed  at  £,\^o     {note  by  Sir  F.  Pollock). 

Y2  323 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

rough  ones.  Wrote  a  letter  for  Mrs.  Robertson,  and  then,  going  out, 
called  at  Covent  Garden,  where  I  saw  Mr.  Fitzball ;  spoke  about  Tal- 
fourd's  box,  which  he  promised  to  take  care  of.  He  also  spoke  to 
me  again  from  Mr.  Osbaldiston,  on  the  subject  of  an  engagement  for 
next  year,  offering  me  from  him,  first,  £35  per  week,  and  then  £40 
per  week,  and  half  a  clear  Benefit,  with  six  weeks'  vacation.  I  said  I 
would  think  about  it.  Went  on  to  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw 
Dance,  Raymond,  etc.,  and  Mr.  Otway's  ^  posting  bill :  "  Wanted 
an  independent  Member  of  Parliament  to  present  a  petition  for  a 
licence  to  act  the  regular  drama."  Received  a  note  from  Blanchard, 
and  a  letter  from  an  anonymous  friend,  remonstrating  with  me  upon 
my  supposed  intention  of  retirement  from  the  stage.  Wrote  notes  of 
invitation  to  the  Foxes  and  Adamses.  Lay  down  and  slept  long  and 
heavily — my  cold  pressing  much  upon  me.  Acted  Ion  pretty  well,  but 
occasionally  annoyed  by  my  colleagues.  It  was  an  unequal  perform- 
ance. I  was  called  for  at  the  end.  Wallace  came  into  my  room. 
I  went  to  supper  at  the  Garrick  Chib,  where  Douglas  (in  the  chair), 
R.  Price  (vice),  Planche,  Dance,  Jerdan,  Forster,  Palmer,  Lucena, 
Barham,  Dowling,  and  others,  whom  I  ought  not  to  have  forgotten, 
received  Talfourd  and  self  at  supper.  It  was  a  pleasant  evening. 
Talfourd  replied  to  the  encomiums  passed  on  him  with  great  animation, 
alluding  to  his  early  love  for  the  drama,  his  interest  for  Miss  Mitford, 
and  his  friendship  for  me,  whom  he  eulogized  very  warmly.  I  acknow- 
ledged the  compliment  paid  afterwards  to  myself  without  embarrass- 
ment, and  alluded  to  the  pure  and  benevolent  spirit  that  gave  life  to 
Talfourd's  work,  and  to  the  faith  I  had  in  the  truth  that  breathed 
throughout  it.  Talfourd  was  obliged  to  go  down  to  the  House,  a 
message  having  come  that  O'Connell  had  just  finished,  and  that  Peel 
was  on  his  legs — the  amendment  of  Stanley  on  the  Irish  tithes.  I 
begged  to  propose  the  healths  of  Jerdan  and  Forster,  as  uniform  and 
earnest  supporters  of  the  cause  of  the  drama.  I  alluded  in  my  speech 
to  the  want  of  fidelity  to  the  cause  of  the  art  in  the  actors  themselves. 
Broke  up  about  two  o'clock.  Jerdan  made  a  good  speech,  if  at  all  to 
be  questioned,  only  for  his  too  much  kindness  to  me. 

Elstree^  June  4t/i. — A  letter  from  Knowles  declining  for  himself 
and  family  an  invitation  for  to-morrow ;  every  ceremony  of  this  kind 
has  been  repeated  sufficiently  often,  and  we  are  now  free  from  any 
further  necessity  of  the  kind.  Henry  Smith  arrived  in  the  afternoon 
with  the  Morning  Chronicle.  I  read  the  debate  with  avidity,  and  was 
^  Probably  Csesar  Otway  (1780-1842);  an  Irish  man  of  letters. 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

particularly  disgusted  with  the  discord-breeding  speech  of  Whittle 
Harvey/     "  I  do  not  like  thee,  Dr.  Fell." 

June  6th. — Mr.  Gray  called  to  inquire  how  far  the  necessity  of 
prompt  payment  upon  the  assessment  of  damages,  in  the  event  of 
letting  judgment  go  by  default,  would  inconvenience  me  in  a  pecuniary 
point  of  view,  as  that  was  a  matter  to  be  considered  in  arriving  at  a 
conclusion  upon  their  proceedings.  I  told  him  if  the  expense  was  not 
likely  to  exceed  £1000  the  blow  might  as  well,  or  better,  fall  at  once, 
as  hang  over  my  head.  Talfourd  wrote  to  me,  wishing  to  see  me  on 
a  very  particular  subject.  I  surmised  it  to  be  the  same  as  Mr.  Gray's 
communication,  and  sent  to  say  that  Mr.  Gray  would  see  him. 

June  Ith. — Mr.  Fox,  Miss  Flower,  and  Mrs.  Adams  arrived ;  we 
spent  the  day  very  agreeably — talking  over  the  best  course  for  Mrs. 
Adams  to  adopt  in  following  the  theatrical  profession ;  advised  her  as 
I  thought  best  for  her.  In  the  drawing-room  Mrs.  Adams  acted 
several  scenes — Lord  Ullin^s  Daughter;  the  Cid — of  Mrs.  Hemans — 
My  boy  Tammie;  and  the  mad  scene  of  Ophelia,  in  which,  particularly 
the  three  first,  she  displayed  more  poetical  conception,  more  imagina- 
tion, and  more  genius  than  Malibran,  Grisi  and  Pasta  combined  could 
have  done.  She  is  a  wonderful  woman. ^  They  left  us  at  ten  o'clock. 
There  was  a  fracas  in  the  kitchen — the  footman  and  housemaid 
fighting. 

June  Sth. — Before  setting  out  to  come  to  town  by  Billings,  I  had 
the  disagreeable  and  painful  task  to  perform  of  discharging  Connor 
for  his  behaviour  last  night.  This  is  the  world !  I  am  obliged  to 
punish  a  fellow  creature  for  the  same  vice — intemperance  of  conduct — 
in  which  I  stand  condemned.  There  is  the  aggravation  of  my  servant's 
case,  that  he  raised  his  hand  against  a  woman — an  unpardonable 
offence.  Tried  to  think  of  Ion  as  I  journeyed  along,  but  was  over- 
powered by  sleep  the  greater  part  of  the  way.  Purchased  rouge,  and 
on  reaching  chambers  sent  cheque  for  five  guineas  to  I^iterary  Fund. 
Mr.  Corkran  ^  called  about  his  play,  and  I  was  glad  to  find  him  so 

^  See  note,  p.  223. 

*  This  is  surprisingly  high  praise  of  a  lady  who  apparently  gave  no  subsequent 
evidence  of  the  qualities  Macready  attributed  to  her.  She  was  probably  Sarah  Flower 
Adams  (1805-1848),  a  minor  poetess,  best  known  as  the  writer  of  the  hymn  Nearer  to  Thee. 

'  J.  Frazer  Corkran  ;  the  Daily  News  correspondent  in  Paris,  where  he  was  well  known 
in  literary  circles.  Ills  daughter,  Miss  Alice  Corkran,  is  a  charming  story-writer  and 
accomplished  journalist,  Thackeray,  who  knew  Corkran  well  in  his  Paris  days,  once  said 
of  him  :  "  Corkran  is  so  good  a  man  that  when  he  goes  to  Heaven  the  angels  will  turn  out 
and  present  aims." 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

satisfied  with  the  little  pains  I  had  taken.  Called  on  Forster,  whom 
I  found  full  of  Eton  and  aristocracy.  Dined  and  looked  at  papers  at 
the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw  Bartley,  etc.  Returning  by  Co  vent 
Garden,  looked  in,  and  found  a  very  kind  letter  from  Mr.  Hill  of 
Wisbech.  In  Mr.  Osbaldiston's  room  saw  Farren,  who,  in  a  full 
and  fresh  burst  of  friendliness,  wished  nie  to  act  for  Miss  H.  Faucit's 
Benefit,  from  which  I  escaped  by  my  absence  from  London.  Mr. 
Osbaldiston  talked  with  me  about  my  engagement,  and  agreed  to  give 
me  <£4<0  per  week  and  half  a  clear  Benefit  for  twenty-two  weeks.  We 
are  to  sign,  etc.,  on  Saturday.  At  the  theatre  found  a  note  from 
A.  Buller,  accepting  Saturday's  invitation.  Acted  Ion,  in  my  own 
opinion,  better  than  I  have  done  since  the  first  night ;  the  house  was 
good,  and  the  audience  entered  into  my  performance.  I  was  called 
for,  and  very  fervently  cheered  on  going  forward.  Saw  Polhill,  and 
met  Knowles,  who  had  left  Literary  Fund  in  dudgeon,  because  his 
toast  the  Drama  was  not  given  while  the  Duke  of  Somerset  was  in  the 
chair.  Knowles  and  Talfourd  were  to  have  acknowledged  the  toast, 
but  Knowles  would  not  receive  it  from  the  deputy,  Emerson  Tennent, 
and  left  with  the  Duke.  When  our  natures  come  to  be  sifted  there  is 
a  greater  quantity  of  real  pride  found  in  the  hearts  of  those  who  have 
been  esteemed  most  lowly  than  in  the  individuals  who  have  been 
pointed  at  in  life  for  their  overweening  opinion  of  themselves.  Went 
up  to  Mrs.  Talfourd's  box,  and  talked  a  short  time  with  her.  Coming 
to  chambers  found  a  note  from  Lardner,  who  really  bores  me,  about 
Jenny  Vertpre — appointing  a  call  before  eleven  to-morrow !  I  A  letter 
from  dear  Edward  (with  a  few  affectionate  lines  from  Catherine), 
enclosing  me  the  papers,  statements,  etc.,  of  the  quarrel  and  duel 
between  Sir  J.  Wilson  and  the  Chief  Justice  of  Ceylon,  in  which 
Edward  was  "  second  "  to  Sir  John.  I  felt  extremely  pleased  (but  I 
begin  to  doubt  the  policy  of  his  behaviour)  with  his  conduct  to  Sir 
W.  Horton,*  whom  he  seems  to  have  walked  over  in  a  very  dignified 
and  soldier-like  manner.  He,  Sir  W.  Horton,  as  Governor  and 
President  of  the  Council,  was  bound  in  the  first  place  to  have  pre- 
vented the  Chief  Justice  from  giving  the  cause  of  offence,  and  secondly 
to  have  forbidden  what  he  authorized  :  the  publication  of  the  offensive 
matter.     As  a  man  and  a  gentleman  and  a  soldier  Edward  did  himself 

1  Sir  Robert  John  Wilmot  Horton  (i784-i84i);M.P.  and  Tory  Under-Secretary  for  War 
and  Colonies  for  some  years.     Governor  of  Ceylon  from  1 83 1  to  1837.     Represented  Mrs. 
Leigh  at  the  burning  of  Byron's  Memoirs.     His  wife  was  the  subject  of  Byron's  famous 
lines:  "She  walks  in  beauty  like  the  night." 
326 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

honour.  A  man  of  the  world  would  perhaps  take  exception  to  his 
style  of  conduct.     But  he  did  well. 

London,  June  9th. — Felt  tired  and  loth  to  rise.  Wrote  a  note  to 
White  about  the  Saturday's  Club  Dinner  and  paid  Freeman.  Lardner 
called  to  carry  us  to  Jenny  Vertpre,  and  Forster  looked  in  while  he 
was  here.  The  conversation  was  on  general  subjects.  Went  with 
Lardner  to  call  on  Jenny  Vertpre  in  Albemarle  Street.  I  found  her  a 
very  piquante,  engaging  little  creature,  but  I  think  profoundly  deep. 
She  wished  me  to  act  a  scene  of  Virginius  on  the  occasion  of  her  Benefit ; 
luckily,  though  I  should  have  been  very  happy  to  have  served  her,  I 
shall  be  engaged  in  the  country  when  her  night  takes  place.  I  promised 
to  send  her  a  private  box  for  Ion  on  Saturday.  I  called  on  T.  Cooke 
(seeing  Bartley  and  Sir  G.  Smart  ^  on  my  way)  to  ask  him  if  the  new 
Opera  was  at  all  delayed  by  Mr.  Bunn's  illness.  He  said  in  the  most 
unequivocal  manner  that  it  was  not — that  it  could  not  have  been 
produced  previous  to  the  27th  May  under  any  circumstances. 

June  10th. — Send  to  purchase  books  of  Ion,  and  was  very  much 
pleased  with  the  grateful  and  touching  Notice  which  Talfourd  has 
substituted  for  the  Dedication  to  Dr.  Valpy,^  in  the  published  edition. 
Lay  down,  much  fatigued — so  much  so  that  I  could  not  read.  It  is 
evident,  I  cannot — to  do  myself  justice — play  on  consecutive  nights ; 
I  am  beaten  down.  Acted  Ion  pretty  well ;  not  as  on  Wednesday 
night.  The  house  was  great,  which  some  persons,  as  well  as  Knowles, 
may  attribute  to  his  name ;  but  it  was  the  play,  with  an  added  motive 
for  selecting  this  night.  I  was  called  for,  and  went  forward  at  the 
end — very  warmly  received.  It  seems  they  now  regret  not  having 
extended  my  engagement ;  I  am  disposed  to  do  so,  but  if  anything 
insolent  or  unpleasant  should  be  said  by  that  base  wretch's  counsel 
on  the  trial,  I  should  not  like  to  be  playing  here  underneath  the  pain 
it  would  give  me. 

June  11th. — Mr.  Gray  called,  and  talked  over  the  matter  of  my 
lawsuits  with  the  scoundrel  Bunn — about  which  I  am  altogether  in 
the  dark.  I  have  not  even  the  power  of  a  guess  at  the  result,  but  my 
apprehensions  picture  something  bad.  A  moment's  indiscretion  must 
be  paid  for  by  perhaps  the  labour  of  a  year,  whilst  this  fellow's 
villainy  actually  makes  a  premium  for  itself  by  the  extent  of  his  knavery 
— it  is  too  bad!     Note  of  invitation  to  Mrs.  Buller,  which  I  answered  ; 

^  Sir  George  Smart  (1776-1867),  the  well-known  composer  and  conductor. 
*  Taifourd's  Head  Master  at  Reading  School  (see  note,  p.  227),  who  had  died  since  the 
dedication  of  /<?«. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

and,  having  written  to  Catherine  and  packed  up  ray  sword-box,  I 
went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  saw  Mr.  Osbaldiston,  who  would  most 
gladly  engage  me  for  a  succession  of  nights  to  continue  the  run  of 
Ion.  I  acted  Ion  fairly — pretty  well,  and  was  loudly  called  for,  and 
enthusiastically  received  by  the  audience. 

June  12th. — Forster  called  and  remained  some  time,  whilst  I 
continued  ray  eraployment,  talking  about  all  sorts  of  things.  He 
seeras  to  think  that  Talfourd  is  quite  in  earnest  about  getting  up 
Ion  as  "private  theatricals,"  and  acting  Ion  hiraself.  He  alluded  to 
it  at  supper  last  night,  but  I  humoured  what  I  supposed  the  joke. 
It  begins  to  look  serious,  for  private  actors  are  very  awful  personages. 
Since  the  wild  and  unwise,  ungentlemanly  burst  of  passion  into  which 
I  suffered  myself  to  be  betrayed  by  my  impatience  of  a  base  and  bad 
man's  conduct — knowing  well  how  base  and  bad  that  man  is — my  mind 
has  had  scarcely  one  minute  of  repose,  my  body  has  been  in  almost 
equally  constant  exercise.  I  now  look  back,  in  a  moment's  pause  of 
rest,  and  with  astonishment,  contrition,  and  deep  gratitude  thank 
Almighty  God  that  the  consequence  and  punishment  of  my  offence — 
my  offence  against  every  dictate  of  prudence,  every  principle  of 
gentlemanly  demeanour,  every  precept  by  which  I  sought  to  guide  my 
conduct — has  been  so  lenient.  Such  an  act  under  slightly  modified 
circumstances,  and  against  any  other  person  might  have  been  my 
ruin  1 1 !  May  it  act  as  a  warning  to  me !  But  my  life  seems  to  be 
passed  in  forraing  scheraes  and  raaking  resolutions  of  conduct,  only 
to  break  through  them. 

June  \4>th. — I  looked  into  some  papers,  and  saw  that  Mr.  Morris 
was  said  to  have  obtained  Talfourd 's  permission  to  perforra  Ion  with 
Ellen  Tree  as  Ion.  Here  was  another  instance  of  my  exacting  temper. 
I  felt  displeased.  My  interest  was  menaced,  and  I  only  looked  at 
my  own  supposed  degree  of  damage.  In  strict  justice,  I  do  think  that 
having  arranged  the  play  (which  Talfourd  would  not  have  done  suc- 
cessfully— see  his  version)  and  put  it  upon  the  stage,  it  is  scarcely  fair, 
before  the  attraction  is  decided  as  past,  to  turn  over  my  labours  to  any 
other  persons.  But  it  is  not  worth  caring  for,  even  if  Talfourd  has 
given  permission,  which  is  not  certain,  though  far  from  improbable. 
On  reflection  I  almost  wished  it  might  be  so,  for  the  conversation  upon 
the  play  would  be  maintained,  and  I  cannot  think  it  possible  that  the 
experiment  can  succeed.  But  here  is  another  instance  of  my  selfish 
teraper — why  could  I  not  regard  it,  as  I  should  have  done,  with 
indifference?  Went  to  the  theatre,  and  acted  Virginius  passably  to 
328 


ELLEN  TREE 

(MRS.  CHARLES  KEAN) 

From  an  entiravimj  b>/  J.  Brown  after  a  iniinattne 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

a  very  good  house.  Dentatus  had  to  play  a  fop  in  the  farce,  and 
he  anticipated  it  in  the  tragedy,  making  the  Roman  Achilles  a 
coxcomb. 

June  15th. — Went  to  rehearsal,  where  I  found  Mrs.  Robertson, 
ray  Lady  Macbeth — very  old,  poor  woman,  not  very  perfect,  and 
cutting  out  the  passage  "I  have  given  suck,"  etc.,  as  too  horrible! 
I  am  now  prepared  for  this  evening,  and  do  not  think  that  I  shall 
lose  my  temper,  though  it  will  be  tried — but  I  think  I  shall  only 
laugh  in  my  sleeve.  Called  on  Mrs.  Hill,  who  showed  me  some  very 
beautiful  drawings  illustrating  the  Giaour  and  Last  Days  of  Pompeii — 
by  Miss  Margaret  Gillies,^  the  young  lady  I  met  and  liked  so  much 
on  Monday  evening.  Went  to  the  theatre,  and  met  the  several  checks 
to  the  abandonment  of  myself  to  Macbeth  with  tolerable  evenness. 
Lady  Macbeth  acted,  and  hauled  and  patted  me,  and  I  endured  most 
heroically — most  philosophically.  It  was  a  trial.  I  got  angry  at  the 
last  at  an  occurrence  that  was  stupidly  gratuitous.  The  thought  of 
darling  Catherine  when  a  girl,  as  her  face  looked  at  me  in  this  very 
play,  arose  and  pleased  my  fancy  for  a  short  time.  Mrs.  Hill  sent  to 
invite  me  to  supper ;  I  could  not  go.  I  find  it  quite  true,  as  Forster 
says,  that  the  performance  of  a  character  is  my  day.  I  can  do  nothing 
else  of  any  moment  when  I  have  an  important  part  to  act.  I  cannot 
do  it. 

Lincoln,  June  18th. — It  seems  difficult  to  assent  to  the  fact  that 
twenty-one  years  have  passed  away  since  the  battle  of  Waterloo  was 
fought,  my  greatest  interest  in  which  event  is  derived  from  the  remem- 
brance of  Edward's  presence  there,  and  the  anxiety  it  occasioned  me. 
Looked  over  the  newspaper,  and  was  caught  by  the  utter  recklessness 
of  the  Times  in  throwing  away  all  considerations  for  persons  or  past 
transactions  when  interfering  with  the  cause  it  champions.  It  is 
barely  decent  in  its  mention  of  Moore,^  who  was  until  lately  one  of  its 
powerful  contributors.  Made  up  some  very  heavy  arrears  of  record, 
which  occupied  me  long.  Sauntered  out  to  discover  the  theatre  and 
see  the  cathedral ;  found  the  first  very  soon,  and  was  directed  to  the 
cathedral,  the  towers  of  which  rose  directly  before  me.  How  much 
pleasure  do  objects  of  art  afford,  particularly  when  rich  in  associations 
as  these  monastic  temples  are,  whether  general  as  to  the  usages  of 

*  Margaret  Gillies  (1803-1887);  a  well-known  exhibitor  at  the  Old  Water  Colour  Society, 
of  which  she  was  an  associate  for  thirty-five  years. 

*  Thomas  Moore  the  poet,  who  had  been  a  frequent  contributor  to  the  Times,  mainly  of 
rhymed  satires  i^^ainst  the  Tory  party,  also,  in  earlier  days,  against  the  Prince  Regent. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

past  times,  or  preserving  any  individual  recollections !  The  front  of 
this  beautiful  pile  held  me  in  delight  for  some  time,  and  the  very 
observation  of  its  imperfectness  is  an  amusement  to  the  mind.  Acted 
Virginius,  not  as  well  as  I  could  have  wished ;  the  house  was  very  fair ; 
but  two  or  three  accidents  interfered  with  me.  How  little  does  an 
audience  guess  upon  what  filmy  threads  an  actor's  effects  depend ! 

Birmingham^  June  19th. — My  i5rst  journey  through  this  place, 
when  a  boy,  to  return  to  my  mother  and  father  for  my  first  holidays 
from  Rugby — when  I  arrived  to  kiss  the  cold  brow  and  marble  lips  of 
that  ever  beloved  and  respected,  that  blessed  mother — these,  with 
many  other  less  touching  memories,  were  fresh  upon  my  mind.  At 
Meriden  similar  recollections  of  time,  passed  there  with  her,  awoke 
vividly  to  my  thoughts. 

June  9,41th. — Received  a  letter  from  Messrs.  White  and  Whitmore, 
informing  me  that  the  inquiry  as  to  damages  is  postponed  to  Tuesday 
next,  in  consequence  of  the  lateness  of  Lord  Melbourne's  trial.  Went 
to  rehearsal — a  very  tedious  and  fatiguing  one.  Received  the  news- 
paper, with  the  account  of  the  trial — Norton  v.  Melbourne.^  Went 
to  the  theatre,  where  I  was  cut  up  by  the  actors  "  root  and  branch  " 
— scattered  "horse,  foot  and  dragoons";  the  stuff  they  talked! 
The  hash  of  nonsense,  the  mysterious,  the  inscrutable  jumble  of  words 
they  all  by  turns  dealt  in  would  have  persuaded  old  Doily  that  they 
were  acting  the  play  in  the  Argive  dialect  of  the  early  Greeks.  Was 
stoutly  called  for,  and  said  a  few  cheerful  words  to  the  audience. 

June  9nth. — Went  to  the  theatre,  and  laboured  under  the  great 
disadvantage  of  a  wretchedly  cast  play  :  the  Virginia,  Icilius,  Lucius, 
Numitorius  were  too  bad  for  the  smallest  theatre.  I  really  contended 
with  the  depressing  effect  of  such  disenchanting  persons,  and  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  play  acted  with  some  correctness  and  reality.  But 
— what  must  I  say — what  language  is  strong  enough  to  give  the  full 

^  An  action  for  crim.  con.  brought  by  the  Hon.  G.  C.  Norton  afjainst  Lord 
Melbourne,  who  was  Prime  Minister  at  the  time.  The  Attorney-General,  Sir  John 
Campbell  (afterwards  Lord  Campbell),  appeared  for  Lord  Melbourne,  and  Sir  William 
Follett  for  Mr.  Norton.  The  jury  found  a  verdict  for  Lord  Melbourne  against  whom  the 
evidence  was  ludicrously  trivial.  In  fact  it  suggested  the  evidence  introduced  by  Dickens 
in  the  immortal  trial  of  Bardell  v.  Pickwick.  The  Melbourne  case  created  an  immense 
sensation  at  the  time,  such  an  action  against  a  first  Minister  of  the  Crown  being  unpre- 
cedented, though,  curiously  enough,  nearly  thirty  years  afterwards  Lord  Melbourne's  brother- 
in-law,  Lord  Palmerston,  then  also  Prime  Minister,  was  cited  as  a  co-respondent  in  the 
Divorce  Court.  The  case,  however,  did  not  reach  a  hearing,  being  dropped  at  a 
preliminary  stage. 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

measure  of  condemnation  that  my  passionate  and  intemperate  and 
undignifed  deportment  calls  down  upon  me?  What  will  become  of 
me  if  I  permit  the  continuance  of  this  odious — this  degrading — this 
spiteful  and  little  conduct?  I  am  really  ashamed — deeply  ashamed  of 
my  phrenetic  temper.  It  is  no  excuse  to  say  I  am  provoked.  I  am 
angry  when  the  effect  of  the  provocation  is  past  and  determined.  / 
am  worse  than  I  ever  was !  Oh,  God ! — oh,  God !  who  hearest  the 
anguish  and  shame  of  heart  it  costs  me,  let  me  implore  Thy  Divine 
Grace  and  assistance  to  aid  me  in  over-mastering  and  expelling  from 
my  nature  this  detestable  and  disgusting  vice !     Amen  ! 

June  9,Sth. — On  this  day  is  the  pecuniary  penalty  of  my  foolish 
and  vile  fault  determined.  To  add  to  the  sums  of  which  this  pitiful 
and  wretched  scoundrel  has  already  robbed  me  cannot  be  felt  other- 
wise than  as  galling,  and  as  a  hardship ;  but  I  have  erred,  and  ought 
to  bow  to  the  punishment  which  I  prepare  for,  not  as  the  infliction 
of  men,  but  as  a  chastisement  from  Providence,  whose  justice  I 
acknowledge,  and  whose  bounty  I  am  most  grateful  for.  But  this 
hasty — this  precipitate  temper  must  be  subdued,  if  I  hope  for  peace  in 
my  remaining  years,  or  look  for  the  esteem  and  respect  of  my  fellow- 
creatures.  It  seems — and  I  hope  it  is  so,  for  then  I  may  look  forward 
to  a  successful  effort  to  conquer  myself — that  my  temper  has  become 
worse  since  this  harassing  and  fretting  business  has  weighed  upon  and 
galled  it ;  but  of  late  I  have  been  so  irritable  that  I  am  shocked  as  I 
look  back  upon  my  imperious  and  impatient  bearing.  God  of  mercy, 
forgive  and  succour  me  !     Amen  ! 

June  29th. — Prepared  my  mind  by  meditation  and  prayer  to  receive 
with  resignation  and  contentment  the  news  of  my  folly's  punishment ; 
went  into  my  sitting-room  armed  with  patience  and  secure  of  submit- 
ting with  serenity  of  mind  to  the  blow.  Found  only  a  letter  from 
dear  Catherine,  with  one  from  Calcraft.  The  slackening  of  the  nerves 
from  their  braced-up  state  quite  threw  me  into  low  spirits.  Cependant ! 
Read  the  newspaper,  and  felt  a  momentary  swell  of  passion  at  reading 
the  paragraph  of  an  "entertainment  to  be  given  to  Mr.  Bunn  for  his 
splendid  management,  and  for  the  late  outrage  committed  on  him." 
A  little  reflection  convinced  me  that  the  compliment  of  one  knave  to 

another — for  example.  Lord  to  Mr.  Bunn — does  not  reduce  the 

quantity  of  baseness  in  their  character,  nor  does  it  at  all  affect  that 
of  an  honest,  upright  man.  Let  them  celebrate  their  orgies  and 
drink  themselves  into  imaginary  respectability ;  the  next  morning  will 
find  them   as  actual  scoundrels  as  they  ever   were.     Endeavoured  to 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

look  at  Werner,  but  was  overcome  by  sleep.  Went  to  the  theatre, 
where,  in  acting  Werner,  I  was  murdered.  I  tried  to  keep  my  temper, 
to  be  cool,  and  to  act,  but  I  was  beaten  down.  The  audience  called 
for  me,  and  I  made  my  parting  salaam.  Phipson  came  into  my  room, 
and  told  me  that  no  notice  of  the  trial  had  yet  appeared !  He 
expressed  himself  most  cordially,  and  has  indeed  shown  me  the  greatest 
attention,  which  I  cannot  forget. 

Elstree,  June  Wth. — Was  called  earlier  than  I  had  ordered,  and 
rose  without  considering  the  time  that  was  before  me.  Paid  my  bill, 
which  was  a  very  exorbitant  one,  satisfied  the  servants,  and  passing 
through  the  market-place,  which  is  very  fine,  went  to  the  Nelson 
Hotel,  from  whence  I  set  out  at  seven  o'clock.  At  Brickhill  Major 
Smith  left  us ;  an  outside  passenger  had  come  in,  and  the  guard 
lent  him  a  Morning  Chronicle  of  this  day — which,  as  I  caught  a  glimpse 
of  the  words  Bunn  v.  Macready,  I  begged  him  to  let  me  see  for  one 
instant.  I  looked  for  the  damages,  which  I  saw  were  X150.  I  felt 
relieved  and  satisfied  as  far  as  the  pecuniary  consideration  went ;  but 
when  he  had  read  through  the  paper  he  handed  it  to  me.  I  found 
the  statement  of  Mr.  Thesiger  ^ — the  plaintiff's  counsel — to  be  a  gross 
and  scandalous  misrepresentation  from  beginning  to  end  :  direct  false- 
hood, most  groundless  inferences,  and  the  basest  imputations  on  my 
character.  My  agitation  was  so  far  suppressed  as  not  to  be  visible  to 
my  fellow-passenger,  but  the  wolf  was  tearing  at  my  heart.  My  mind 
was  away  while  he  was  speaking  to  me.  I  was  suffering  an  inward 
torture,  which  only  persons  of  acute  sensibility  can  conceive  or  sym- 
pathize with.  I  could  not  confront  the  passengers  who  stayed  at 
Redbourn  to  dinner,  but  walked  on  with  my  compagnon  de  voyage. 
Reached  home  by  a  little  after  six,  and  found  my  dear  family  quite 
well.     I  thank  God  for  His  mercy  to  me  in  regard  to  these  precious 

^  Frederick  Thesiger  (1794-1878);  afterwards  Lord  Chelmsford,  and  twice  Lord 
Chancellor  of  England.  When  appearing  for  Bunn  he  was  already  in  large  practice  on  the 
Home  Circuit.  To  those  who  recollect  the  distinguished-looking,  urbane  nobleman  of 
later  years  Macready's  allegations  must  be  difficult  of  acceptance ;  but  it  is  quite  possible 
that  Thesiger  did  not  mince  his  words  in  dealing  with  what  was,  after  all,  on  Macready's 
own  admission,  a  most  unjustifiable  assault.  Bunn's  attorney  had  no  doubt  not  erred  on 
the  side  of  moderation  in  his  instructions,  and  if  Thesiger  improved  a  little  on  his  brief, 
it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  very  fact  of  Macready  having  suffered  judgment  to  go 
by  default  (the  case  was  simply  one  for  the  assessment  of  damages  in  the  Sheriff's  Court) 
rendered  him  especially  vulnerable  to  attack.  On  the  whole  he  got  off"  very  lightly,  and 
probably  no  one  except  himself  gave  another  thought  to  Thesiger's  fiilminations  when  once 
the  case  had  been  disposed  of.  With  Macready,  however,  they  continued  to  rankle  till 
the  end  of  his  life. 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

creatures,  who  are  the  bonds  that  hold  me  on  to  life !  Dow  and  his 
wife  arrived  in  their  cab  about  eight  o'clock — not  expecting  to  find 
me,  but  with  the  purpose  of  reporting  to  dear  Catherine  the  proceed- 
ings at  the  trial.  They  did  not  leave  us  till  after  ten.  I  expressed 
to  Dow  my  indignation  at  the  base  and  scandalous  conduct  of  the  hired 
calumniator,  Thesiger ;  he  tried  to  palliate  it,  but  ineffectually. 

London^  July  1st. — Went  up  to  town  to  consult  Wallace  on  the 
stigma  which  this  paid  libeller  had  fixed  upon  me ;  he  seemed  back- 
ward to  make  a  question  of  the  insult,  but  on  my  repeating  the  language 
contained  in  the  Morning  Chronicle,  he  thought  it  right  that  we 
should  see  Talfourd  on  the  matter  previous  to  any  step  being  taken. 
We  got  into  a  coach,  which  broke  down  in  Oxford  Street,  and  in 
another  we  pursued  our  course  to  my  chambers.  I  stepped  in  to 
Forster,  who  told  me  that  Evans,  the  plaintiff's  solicitor,  when  Mr. 
Thesiger  in  the  court  said  that  I  had  "  attempted  to  tear  out  the 
tongue  "  of  that  wretch,  came  up  to  him  and  requested  him,  if  this 
was  spoken  of  among  his  friends ,  to  say  that  no  such  expression  was 
in  the  CounseVs  brief.  I  mentioned  this  to  Wallace.  We  went  on 
to  Talfourd 's  chambers,  and  learned  that  he  was  in  Guildhall,  whither 
we  followed  him.  He  was  speaking  in  the  Common  Pleas  when  we 
arrived.  Retiring  to  the  Guildhall  Coffee  House  I  wrote  a  note, 
wishing  to  see  him,  and  gave  it  to  one  of  the  attendants  in  the  court. 
Talfourd  soon  after  came  out  and  took  us  upstairs  into  the  counsel's 
room.  I  there  stated  to  him  the  indignity  which  had  been  cast  upon 
me  and  my  intention  of  requiring  a  disavowal  or  retractation  of  his 
slander.  Talfourd  seemed  extremely  distressed,  and  endeavoured, 
more  suorum,  to  explain  it  as  being  without  meaning — as  merely 
professional  licence,  etc.,  and  intimating  that  the  consequences  of  a 
message  to  Thesiger  would  be  very  injurious  to  me,  inasmuch  as  he 
would  appeal  to  the  Bar,  who  would  be  sure  to  maintain  him  in  his 
right  of  resistance  to  such  a  demand,  and  that  he  would  refuse  to  meet 
me  and  probably  move  the  Court  of  King's  Bench  against  me  in  a 
criminal  information.  For  all  this  I  cared  little;  I  could  scarcely 
suffer  more  than  I  did  from  the  ignominy  he  had  cast  upon  me. 
Wallace  spoke  out  upon  the  licence  assumed  by  counsel  in  venting 
their  scurrility,  and  said  that  it  ought  to  be  checked.  We  left  Tal- 
fourd and  conferred,  as  we  drove  along  to  my  chambers ;  thence  to 
Ransom's,  where  I  lodged  X210,  having  purchased  a  Morning  Chronicle 
on  the  way.  We  agreed  that  it  would  be  better  I  should  return  home 
to-night,  and  be  in  town  betimes  in  the  morning  to  write  a  letter  to 

333 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

this  foul-mouthed  slanderer,  which  Wallace  should  take.  I  bought 
Willie  a  ship,  long  promised,  and  having  written  a  note  of  excuse  for 
to-day  and  invitation  for  the  morrow  to  H.  Glassford  Bell,  who  was 
in  town  from  Scotland  and  had  invited  himself  down  to-day,  I 
sauntered  along,  waiting  for  the  coach.  As  I  got  into  it  I  was  hailed 
from  the  top,  where  to  my  surprise  I  saw  Bell.  I  got  on  the  roof  with 
him  and  we  went  home  together.  He  asked  me  about  the  cause  of 
my  annoyance,  and  I  told  him.  He  combated  my  purpose  of  calling 
on  Thesiger  for  retractation  on  the  same  grounds  with  Talfourd. 

July  S,nd. — Went  with  Bell  to  town  in  chaise,  and  called  on 
Wallace — parting  with  Bell  at  the  door.  I  found  Wallace  shaken  in 
his  previous  opinions ;  he  acknowledged  himself  perplexed  and  uncer- 
tain how  to  proceed.  He  represented  the  "  awkward  and  dangerous 
observations  to  which  I  might  be  liable  in  calling  out  a  man  who,  I 
must  be  presumed  to  know,  would  not  go  out  with  me."  This  was 
very  startling  and  not  easy  to  be  got  over.  I  asked  him  if  he  had 
spoken  to  Lardner  on  it ;  he  said  he  had,  and  that  Lardner  was  quite 
agitated  and  distressed  about  it  as  fraught  with  so  much  injury  to 
me.  Lardner,  on  Wallace's  invitation,  came  up,  and  the  matter  was 
thoroughly  discussed.  It  was  agreed  between  them  that  it  was  im- 
possible I  could  call  the  man  out.  What  then  remained  hut  to  endure  ? 
It  was  suggested  that  I  should  write  to  Talfourd  for  a  written  state- 
ment of  his  opinion,  as  delivered  yesterday  on  the  subject ;  then,  that 
three  persons  of  acknowledged  respectability  should  record  their 
opinions  that  I  could  not  proceed  hostilely  against  Thesiger — and  at 
last  it  was  left  with  nothing  done!  My  lesson  is  patience.  I  am  to 
read  the  mendacious  assertions  of  a  fee'd  scoundrel — that  my  assault 
on  a  worthless  villain,  which  was  rash  and  incautious  even  to  a  pitch 
of  madness,  was  ^*  unmanly,  dastardly  and  cowardly. ^^  I  am  to  know 
that  this  salaried  liar  has  gone  beyond  the  instructions  of  his  brief  in 
his  defamation  of  me,  and  that  he  has  charged  me  with  falsehood  from 
the  stage  of  Covent  Garden  without  the  power  of  contradicting  or 
refuting  of  his  calumnies.  Is  this  justice  ? — or  what  is  life  worth  where 
character  is  made  the  essential  of  happiness,  where  it  is  placed  at  the 
mercy  of  a  licensed  trader  in  falsehood,  and  where  hypocrisy  and  base- 
ness enjoy  all  the  good  derived  from  it,  whilst  honesty  of  purpose  and 
purity  of  intention  are  held  up  by  misrepresentation  to  public  odium  ? 
It  is  frightful!  Went  to  chambers.  Wrote  to  Dow  and  to  Bell  upon 
the  relinquishment  of  my  purpose.  Sent  for  Morning  Herald  of 
Thursday.    Very  unhappy  and  depressed  in  spirits.     Went  to  Garrick 

334 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Club,  where  I  saw  Reynolds,  Planche,  Hook,  Kemble  and  Winston. 
Looked  at  magazines.  Saw  Rafaelle's  drawings.  No  heart  to  enjoy 
them,  my  mind  was  sick  with  its  depression.  Forster  overtook  me  as 
I  returned  to  chambers,  talked  much.  I  walked  in  the  garden  after 
dinner,  but  my  spirits  were  wretchedly  low — sunk  beyond  the  power 
of  revival.  I  am  indeed,  with  almost  all  in  life  that  should  make  a 
man  happy,  very,  very  wretched.  The  poison  of  a  villain's  slander  has 
been  thrown  into  the  cup  which  I  am  forced  to  drink,  and  I  find  I 
have  not  that  religious  or  philosophic  resignation  which  can  find  com- 
fort and  repose  in  bowing  to  the  punishment  inflicted,  and  in  sub- 
mitting to  the  execution  of  that  will  which  is  all-wise,  and  if  we  could 
but  know  it,  all-benevolent.  May  God  assist  me,  for  my  tortured 
spirit  needs  some  consoling  and  sustaining  power,  which  it  cannot  find 
here.     Amen ! 

Elstree,  July  2rd. — Rose  late,  and  with  a  disinclination  to  exertion 
of  any  kind,  arising  chiefly,  if  not  entirely,  from  the  dejected  state 
of  mind  in  which  I  still  remained.  I  looked  at  the  newspaper  and 
sauntered  through  the  garden — listlessly — and  with  the  miserable  con- 
sciousness of  having  around  me  everything  to  enjoy  though  deprived 
of  the  power  of  enjoyment  by  a  base-minded  brawler  who  had  stung 
me  with  his  envenomed  words  into  torture.  Languid,  indifferent  to 
everything  that  looked  full  of  beauty  around  me,  thoroughly  unhappy, 
and  incapable  of  applying  myself  to  any  occupation.  I  had  intended 
going  to  church,  but  I  shrank  from  the  meeting  persons  who  might 
have  read  Mr.  Thesiger's  speech.  How  very  wrong !  A  duty,  in  the 
cultivation  of  a  religious  and  grateful  feeling  and  in  the  example 
offered  to  others,  I  neglected  for  my  vain  concern  for  man's  opinion 
and  observation.  Let  me  never  again  thus  shrink  from  an  imperious 
duty — rendered  more  necessary  by  such  circumstances,  my  own  offences, 
as  now  weigh  upon  ine. 

After  dinner  I  played  with  my  darling  children ;  my  spirits  rallied 
a  little.  As  we  were  sitting  down  to  tea  a  ring  of  the  bell  and  the 
sound  of  carriage  wheels  made  us  conclude  that  Dow  had  descended 
on  us.  It  was  Talfourd,  Mrs.  Talfourd  and  three  of  the  children.  It 
was  quite  a  surprise.  They  took  tea.  Mrs.  Talfourd,  etc.,  went  into 
the  garden,  whilst  Talfourd,  who  was  greatly  pleased  and  relieved  by  the 
dismissal  of  my  thought  of  calling  on  Thesiger,  discussed  with  me 
the  points  of  the  trial — told  me  of  the  Age  threatening  an  indictment 
— (posh !) — and  of  Morris's  offer  of  £800  for  the  exclusive  right  of 
acting  lorif  which  Talfourd  had  declined,  and  which  I  advised  him  to 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

take  for  the  permission  to  act  it,  omitting  the  word  "exclusive." 
Talfourd  again  expressed  his  opinion  of  the  unfair  and  ungentlemanly 
tone  adopted  by  Thesiger,  wondering  at  his  want  of  taste  and  proper 
feeling,  and  intimating  his  readiness  to  write  to  me  the  declaration  of 
his  conviction  that  I  could  not  notice  what  fell  from  Thesiger.  They 
left  us  about  ten.  We  sat  up  late,  talking  over  the  trial.  I  went  to 
bed  as  depressed  and  low  in  heart  as  I  had  risen. 

July  4ith. — My  spirits  were  still  very,  very  low ;  the  obloquy  which 
this  vile  hireling  has  thrown  upon  me  clings  like  a  poisoned  garment 
to  my  flesh,  and  as  I  write  each  emotion  wounds  and  tortures  me. 
After  breakfast  put  my  papers  in  order ;  my  spirits  seemed  rather  to 
sink  still  lower,  beyond  the  power  of  rallying  them.  Mr.  Greaves 
arrived.  His  conversation  upon  the  late  trial  and  the  verdict  was 
very  cheering  to  me,  not  alone  as  regards  the  public  opinion  upon  the 
transaction,  but  also  upon  the  impression  conveyed  by  Mr.  Thesiger 's 
speech,  which  was  felt  to  be  an  ungentlemanly  distortion  and  mis- 
statement of  facts.  After  dinner  we  walked  down  to  the  reservoir, 
taking  the  dogs  with  us.  The  evening  was  beautiful.  To-day  is  the 
anniversary  of  the  American  Declaration  of  Independence.  I,  as  one 
of  the  great  family  of  mankind  that  have  profited  by  that  event,  thank 
God  for  it ;  how  much  has  the  great  cause  of  liberty  and  improvement 
been  advanced  by  it ! 

July  5th. — The  post  brought  a  very  kind  note  from  Bell,  expres- 
sive of  his  satisfaction  at  my  silence  upon  the  slanders  cast  upon  me, 
and  repeating  the  assurance  that  that  man's,  Thesiger's,  calumny  in 
no  way  touched  my  character  as  a  gentleman. 

July  1th, — I  turned  back  to  the  sad  and  undignified  action,  which 
has  cost  me  so  many  days  of  keen  and,  indeed,  agonized  suffering.  I 
find  a  record  of  imprudence,  want  of  self-government,  moroseness, 
precipitation,  imperiousness,  and  tetchiness  that  grieves  and  shames 
me.  The  fact  of  my  ill-temper  cannot  be  concealed,  nor  extenuated 
when  admitted.  I  am  wholly  unjustified — religion,  philosophy,  policy, 
all  cry  out  against  me.  I  feel  weary  of  self-complaint  from  the  little 
benefit  I  have  derived  from  it ;  if  I  wish  or  expect  to  pass  through  the 
remainder  of  my  life  with  respectability  and  honour,  I  must  overcome 
it.  I  will  try  to  do  so,  and  I  implore  the  blessing  of  God  upon  my 
efforts. 

July  Sth. — A  note  from  Talfourd,  with  the  information  that  he 
had  concluded  with  Morris  an  agreement  allowing  him  to  perform  Ion 
at  the  Haymarket  theatre,  and  wishing  the  loan  of  my  book,  as  marked 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

for  representation.  This  naturally  caused  me  to  think  much  upon  the 
effects  and  motives  of  the  proceeding.  I  had  much  rather  it  had  not 
taken  place,  and  something  like  dissatisfaction  arose  in  my  mind  on 
perceiving  the  credit  I  had  gained  partially  endangered  by  the  possible 
success  of  a  performer  inferior  in  rank.  A  little  consideration,  how- 
ever, made  me  see  that  selfishness  was  the  mainspring  of  my  reason- 
ings, and  that  I  thought  chiefly  of  my  interests  and  fame,  as  Talfourd, 
very  justifiably,  did  of  his.  I  cannot  hope  the  experiment  to  succeed, 
and  I  trust  it  will  not,  as  it  cannot  harm  Talfourd  by  failure,  and  in 
its  triumph  may  take  much  from  me.  Such  is  an  actor's  reputation ! 
Walked  in  the  garden,  enjoying  the  freshness  of  the  air  and  perfume 
of  the  flowers.  Answered  Talfourd,  and  sent  him  by  Drink  water  the 
book  requested,  giving  him  the  use  of  it  till  Tuesday  or  Wednesday. 
Heard  dear  Willie  read,  and  took  some  pains  with  him.  Went  to 
look  at  the  progress  of  the  haymakers,  and  lay  among  the  hay,  look- 
ing with  delight  and  gratitude  on  the  two  dear  children,  Nina  and 
Willie,  who  were  playing  among  it. 

July  9th. — Heard  with  much  satisfaction  of  the  failure  of  Mali- 
bran's  renowned  engagement.  It  is  most  unjust  that  a  foreigner 
should  be  brought  into  a  national  theatre  to  receive  enormous  terms 
at  the  expense  of  the  actors  of  the  establishment. 

July  IQth. — Was  suffering  from  pain  of  heart  and  depression  in 
ruminating  on  the  feeble  defence  set  up  by  Talfourd  to  the  charges 
brought  against  me.  It  was  so  manifestly  a  got-up  case  that  the  least 
energy  in  following  up  a  penetrating  consideration  of  the  subject 
might  have  exposed  the  whole  composition.  The  charges  and  insinua- 
tions, never  attempted  to  be  proved,  were,  it  might  be  supposed, 
suggestive  of  the  falsehood  of  the  rest ;  but  not  having  chosen  to  make 
himself  acquainted  thoroughly  with  the  real  facts  of  the  case,  he  pro- 
ceeded as  if  apprehensive  of  their  truth,  and  as  if  fearful  of  grappling 
with  the  question.  It  was  the  juryman  who,  by  his  cross-examination, 
convicted  the  boy  of  falsehood.  Why  did  not  Talfourd  pursue  the 
ridiculous  assertion  about  tearing  out  his  tongue  to  its  exposure,  and 
overwhelm  the  falsehood  of  the  other  counsel  ?  Also  about  the  hair 
torn  from  that  fellow's  head,  as  asserted  by  the  surgeon — why  did  he 
not  make  him  state  the  particulars.  Could  he  have  distinguished  such 
a  thing  unless  some  of  the  scalp  had  been  injured  also  ?  It  was  a  got- 
up  case,  and  endeavoured  to  be  fitted  in  its  parts — and  might  have 
been  safely  torn  to  pieces.  Where  were  the  bruises  of  his  body,  which 
was  "  kicked  and  jumped  upon  "  ?  Talfourd  suffered  this  Mr.  Thesiger 
VOL.  I.  2  337 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

to  designate  my  conduct  as  "  cowardly,  unmanly  and  dastardly  " — to 
make  assertions  without  the  least  attempt  to  prove  them — to  challenge 
scrutiny  of  Mr.  Bunn's  character  as  "  honourable  and  eminent  "  and 
something  else — and  never  took  advantage  of  these  opportunities.  He 
eulogized  me,  when  it  would  have  been  a  greater  advantage  to  have 
been  silent  upon  a  life,  which,  as  to  its  public  conduct,  he  might  have 
pointed  out  as  blameless.  Oh  !  but  it  makes  my  heart  sick  to  look 
back  on  such  a  defender — such  a  friend — not  for  his  will  but  for  his 
ability.  He  did  what  he  could,  he  declaimed,  but  he  had  not  the 
moral  courage  to  vindicate  and  defend  me.^ 

London,  July  14t/i. — Called  on  Wallace,  and  talked  with  him 
about  Talfourd's  defence,  which  he  thought,  as  he  had  anticipated — 
and  as  I  had  feared — was  unequal  to  the  case  entrusted  to  him.  His 
business  was  to  disprove  by  cross-examination  the  statements  of  the 
false  witnesses  against  me,  and  to  expose  the  baseness  of  the  assertions 
and  insinuations  of  Mr.  Thesiger,  which  he  had  failed,  or  not 
attempted,  to  prove.  But  he  passed  them  all  hy ;  he  declaimed  upon 
my  character  and  ventured  a  hint  at  the  badness  of  Mr.  Bunn's.  Was 
this  what  the  case  required  ?  My  character  did  not  need  his  eulogy — 
it  was  defamed,  and  called  for  his  scrutiny ;  he  could  not,  or  dared 
not  make  it.  He  seems  hung  like  a  clog  by  destiny  around  my 
fortunes !  It  is  not  his  fault — it  is  his  inefficiency,  his  want  of  moral 
courage,  of  sternness  of  purpose,  of  resolved  will !  God  help  me ! 
Amen  !  Wallace  urged  me  to  forget  all  about  it !  The  very  injunction 
proves  the  difficulty  in  the  necessity ;  it  is  not  to  he  forgotten  I  At 
Covent  Garden  theatre  met  Mr.  Osbaldiston,  and,  after  urging  him 
to  engage  Mr.  Vandenhoff  and  Miss  E.  Tree,  read  my  article  of  agree- 
ment to  him,  to  which  he  assented,  and  also  to  my  claim  of  flesh- 
coloured  stockings  and  to  the  announcement  of  my  name  as  first.  We 
talked  long,  and  I  was  to  send  him  the  dates  of  Lent  and  Easter. 

July  16t/i. — Called  on  AVhite  and  Whitmore,  who  were  out,  and 
returned  to  chambers  to  expect  Mr.  Gray.  He  called,  and  we  talked 
over  a  little  of  the  trial.  He  said  the  feeling  of  indignation  was 
general   in   the  court  at   that  gowned   libeller's   assertion   of  charges 

^  Talfourd,  of  course,  had  a  lamentably  weak  case,  which  it  must  be  admitted  he  did 
not  contrive  to  improve  by  a  turgid  overstrained  speech  of  the  Buzfuz  type.  The  truth  is 
that  in  his  heart  he  knew  that  Macready  had  put  himself  hopelessly  in  the  wrong,  and  the 
utmost  he  could  do  was  to  endeavour  to  mitigate  the  gravity  of  this  particular  lapse  by 
enlarging  on  the  normally  irreproachable  conduct  of  his  client.  A  good  deal  of  allowance 
must  be  made  for  Macready,  but  he  was  undoubtedly  unjust  to  Talfourd,  who  had  a  very 
difficult  task  in  representing  a  self-confessed  delinquent. 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

which  he  never  attempted  to  prove.  Is  this  the  act  of  an  honest 
man — of  a  gentleman  ?  I  gave  Mr.  Gray  a  cheque  for  £200  to  meet 
the  verdict  and  costs,  with  which  my  impatience  of  a  villain's  acts  of 
treachery  and  robbery  has  been  visited.  The  punishment  of  my 
offence  has  been  in  my  own  heart !  The  world  is  no  longer  what  it 
was  to  me — and  with  my  feelings  I  cannot  think  it  has  been  much. 

Elstreey  July  llth. — This  week  sees  me  £200  minus  in  my  small 
possessions  through  my  own  indiscretion.^  This  sum  is  lost  to  my 
children,  and  I  am  loaded  with  the  painful  and  oppressive  remem- 
brance of  having  exposed  myself  to  the  censure  of  every  one  who  may 
choose  to  raise  his  voice  against  me. 

July  Idth. — Considered  seriously  the  expediency,  the  propriety,  of 
giving  up  my  house,  and  reducing  my  whole  establishment;  it  presses 
strongly  upon  me,  but  I  will  not  be  rash.  God  grant  that  I  may  be 
wise  and  just  in  my  resolve.  My  blessed  children,  it  is  for  you  that  I 
think,  and  that  I  will  with  a  cheerful  heart  resign  the  luxuries  and 
comforts  of  my  present  abode. 

July  9,0th. — The  whole  of  this  day,  the  morning,  afternoon,  and 
evening,  was  passed  in  examining  my  accounts,  calculating  and  dis- 
cussing the  subject  of  my  last  night's  thought.  I  retired  to  rest  still 
undecided,  unable  to  ascertain  precisely  the  amount  of  difference 
between  a  town  and  country  residence. 

July  21st. — At  last  came  to  the  decision  that  the  small  difference 
between  town  and  country  would  not  overweigh  the  advantages  of 
remaining  here,  which  we  accordingly  resolved  on  doing. 

July  26th. — Talked  with  H.  Smith  of  my  situation.  He 
counselled  the  abandonment  of  the  action  against  Bunn.  I  believe 
he  is  right,  for  I  fear  that  indignation — or  more  plainly  speaking, 
passion — actuates  me  more  than  the  belief  that  it  is  necessary 
to  my  character  to  expose  the  fraud  he  has  practised  on  nie.  It 
is  hard  that  such  a  wretch  should  be  permitted  to  go  on  with 
impunity ;  but  I  cannot  he  right  to  lend  an  ear  to  passion — the  worst 
of  counsellors.  H.  Smith  also  recommended  me  to  come  to  town,  but 
on  searching  my  own  mind  I  fear  I  could  not  overcome,  here,  my 
tendency  to  expense.  Went  to  dine  with  Forster ;  met  Browning  and 
Ainsworth  ;  ^  passed  a  pleasant  afternoon,  and  invited  Ainsworth  for 
Sunday. 

^  As  will  be  remembered  Macready  was  at  one  time  quite  prepared  for  a  verdict  of 
;^iooo  against  him. 

*  William  Harrison  Ainsworth  ( 1 805-1 882)  ;  author  of  Rookwood,  Jack  Sheppard,  Old 
St.  PauPs,  and  other  popular  novels. 

2  2  339 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [183G 

August  1st. — Came  up  to  town  by  Billings's,  in  company  with  Mr. 
and  Miss  Lane,  Browning,  Forster,  and  Mr.  Ainsworth.  Parted  with 
my  guests  apparently  well  pleased  with  their  excursion.  On  my  way 
read  very  nearly  the  whole  of  Bulwer's  play  of  Cromwell;^  though 
containing  some  passages  happy  in  thought  and  strong  in  expression, 
I  do  not  think,  either  in  respect  to  character,  arrangement,  or  poetical 
beauty,  that  this  play  will  quite  reach  the  level  of  his  existing 
reputation. 

London,  August  3rd. — Called  on  Forster  to  inquire  the  success  of 
Ion ;  heard  but  an  indifferent  report  of  Miss  Tree  and  Mr.  Vandenhoff, 
not  sufficiently  good  to  induce  me  to  remain  in  town  to  see  them. 
Forster  told  me  that  Browning  had  fixed  on  Strafford  for  the  subject 
of  a  tragedy ;  he  could  not  have  hit  upon  one  that  I  could  have  more 
readily  concurred  in. 

Elstree,  August  5th. — Finished  the  perusal  of  Nina  Sforza,  a  play 
of  very  great  merit  with  which  I  was  very  much  pleased,  though  it 
cannot  be  successful  in  representation.  Read  Heraud's  other  play  of 
the  Death  of  Nero;  an  impossible  subject,  not  treated  in  a  manner 
to  give  hope  of  its  success.     Made  up  very  long  arrears  of  record. 

August  1th. — Accompanied  our  guests  with  Catherine  to  Harrow 
Weald  to  show  the  splendid  view  to  be  seen  there.  Fonblanque  went 
to  town  to  dine — as  I  afterwards  understood — with  Lord  Lansdowne.' 
We  had  music  in  the  evening,  more  than  I  almost  wished ;  my  spirit 
became  low  and  languid  under  it,  and  a  feeling  of  disappointment, 
arising  perhaps  from  my  own  vanity,  depressed  me. 

London,  August  8th. — Went  to  the  Haymarket  to  Ion;  it  was 
tiresome  and  sleepy  to  a  degree;  over  at  ten  o'clock.  Miss  Tree's 
performance  of  Ion  is  a  very  pretty  effort,  and  a  very  creditable 
woman's  effort,  but  it  is  no  more  like  a  young  man  than  a  coat  and 
waistcoat  are.  Vandenhoff  was  frequently  very  false  and  very  tire- 
some ;  some  things  he  did  very  well.  The  play  was  very  drowsy,  very 
unreal. 

August   9th. — Called   on    Wallace   and   Lardner.     Coming   up — I 

*  Apparently  it  never  saw  the  footlights. 

*  The  third  Marquis  (1780-1863),  who,  as  Lord  Henry  Petty,  had  been  Chancellor  of 
the  Exchequer  in  the  All  the  Talents  Administration,  with  Charles  Fox,  at  the  Foreign  Office, 
as  his  colleague.  He  was  more  prominent  as  the  Maecenas  of  the  Whig  party  than  as  a 
politician  though  he  held  office  in  Canning's  Administration,  and  sat  in  most  of  the  Whig 
cabinets  down  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  almost  the  last  of  the  nineteenth-century 
grand  seigneurs,  a  princely  host  and  an  enlightened  patron  of  art  and  letters.  Tom 
Moore's  Diaries  give  charming  glimpses  of  him  both  at  Bowood  and  at  Lansdowne  House. 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

think — Hanover  Street  I  saw  that  dirty  wretch  Bunn  arm-in-arm  with 
Calcraft !  I  looked  forth  at  them  both,  with  a  smile  of  contempt  at 
that  reptile,  but  the  one  dared  not  and  the  other  would  not  look 
across  the  narrow  street,  in  which  they  must  have  seen  me.  It  would 
be  exacting,  indeed,  in  me,  if  I  could  expect  men  should  relinquish 
intimacies  or  friendships  on  my  account — but  here  is  quite  a  diflFerent 
case.  Mr.  Calcraft  told  me  yesterday  that  Mr.  Bunn  was  a  coward ; 
he  has  before  told  me  that  he  would  be  hanged,  and  then  changed  his 
opinion  on  the  conviction  that  he  was  too  great  a  coward  to  peril  his 
life  in  any  way ;  he  was  privy  to  his  rascality  in  cheating  me  in  Dublin  ; 
he  was  privy  to  his  cheating  his  friend,  young  Kean ;  Mr.  Bunn 
charged  him  with  a  dishonourable  mode  of  getting  the  Dublin  theatre 
into  his  own  hands — and  I  see  this  person,  whom  I  have  essentially 
served,  who  holds  a  commission  in  the  King's  service,^  walking  arm- 
in-arm  and  manifestly  on  terms  of  intimacy  with  a  man  whom  he 
proclaims  one  of  the  greatest  rascals  living  and  an  irredeemable  coward  I 
Can  I  entertain  respect  for  the  character  of  Mr.  Calcraft?  My 
suspicions — my  strong  suspicions  of  his  mind  and  heart  are  confirmed. 

August  211  th. — Went  to  the  theatre  and  rehearsed  Ion,  which  I  no 
longer  feel  pleasure  in  performing.  I  feel,  I  fancy,  rather  degonte 
with  Talfourd's  "delight"  at  seeing  Miss  Tree's  appearance  in  the 
part ;  if  it  is  the  author's  feeling  that  it  is  the  nasty  sort  of  epicene 
animal  which  a  woman  so  dressed  up  renders  it,  I  am  very  loth  to  appear 
in  it,  and  to  this  notion  the  author  seems  to  lend  his  opinion. 

August  %8th. — Endeavoured  to  come  to  some  decision  with  regard 
to  the  plot  of  Bulwer's  play,  but  find  it  more  difficult  than  I  had  sup- 
posed ;  on  one  point  I  am  clear,  that  to  make  a  play  of  Cromwell,  he 
must  begin  de  novo  and  be  content  to  lose  all  he  has  already  done ; 
patchwork  never  is  of  value.  Began  to  read,  with  the  hope  of  finding 
it  adaptable,  Marino  Faliero. 

September  2nd. — At  theatre ;  on  going  to  see  a  gentleman  who  was 
inquiring  for  me,  I  met  again  *'  Tom  Steele  "  ^ — poor  fellow.  What 
a  warm-hearted  creature !  How  exactly  made  to  be  the  dupe  of  cold- 
blooded designers,  the  victim  of  his  own  guilelessness !  He  was  quite 
running  over  with  affection  and  enthusiasm.      I  was  amused  by  his 

^  Calcraft  was  originally  in  the  Army,  but  must  have  retired  when  takii)g  up  the  stage  as 
a  calling  (see  note,  p.  14). 

2  Thomas  Steele  (1783-1848) ;  a  prominent  follower  of  O'Connell  whom  he  supported  at 
the  famous  Clare  election  in  1828.  He  was  tried  together  with  O'Connell  for  sedition 
and  remained  his  firm  adherent,  supporting  him  against  the  "  Young  Irelanders  "  ;  after 
O'Connell's  death  he  attempted  suicide. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

instructing  me  in  the  means  by  which  he  acquired  that  "  clear  judg- 
ment "  which  he  "  used  so  powerfully  during  the  period  of  his  agita- 
tion " — he  had  "given  up  agitation  now  these  three  years."  He  sat 
in  admiration  of  the  rehearsal  of  Hamlet,  which  I  conducted  with  much 
temper.  He  talked  of  my  foolish  attack  on  Bunn,  which  he  thought 
a  matter  to  rejoice  in,  but  which  I  never  can  think  otherwise  of  than 
as  I  have  done,  and  do. 

September  Mh. — Began  the  day  with  needful  attention  to  my 
clothes,  which  occupied  me  some  time ;  looked  over  and  cast  up  my 
accounts,  and  began  the  draught  of  a  letter  to  Bulwer  upon  his  play 
of  Cromwell.  This  same  play  has  cost  me  much  time  and  pains.  I  am 
not  sure  whether  I  ought  to  have  undertaken  it,  but  he  has  been  kind 
in  his  expressions  to  me,  and  that  has  been  my  inducement.  Called 
on  Miss  Huddart,  who  talked  much  about  herself,  Mr.  Calcraft  and 
Mr.  C.  Kean.  I  find  her  opinion  of  the  talents  of  the  last-named 
person  very  much  raised.  It  is  strange  that  a  person  should  possess 
the  mental  qualifications  of  an  actor  whose  life  is  passed  in  trifling  and 
amusement !  If  it  really  be  good — of  a  high  order — I  shall  think  of 
art  infinitely  more  lowly  than  I  have  yet  done. 

September  12th. — Deferred,  from  mauvaise  honte,  repugnance,  and 
a  bad  hat,  ray  necessary  calls.  Returning  to  lodgings,  slept,  and  read 
three  Odes  of  Horace,  which  had  a  good  effect  upon  my  mind.  Read 
over  the  part  of  Bertulphe.  Ate  an  exceedingly  moderate  dinner — one 
mutton  chop — rien  autre.  Went  to  the  theatre,  prepared  for  a  bad 
house,  but  thought  it  an  occasion  for  expressing  myself  in  the  study  of 
my  art,  and  in  the  better  art  of  keeping  my  temper.  Cannot  say  that 
I  was  very  successful  in  either  experiment.  Acted  Bertulphe  very 
badly ;  strove,  but  vainly,  to  act  well ;  couldn't  infuse  reality  into  my 
performance.  I  never  felt  more  strongly  the  invita  Minerva.  Fortun- 
ately, made  no  exhibitions  of  ill-humour,  though  frequently  feeling, 
and  subduing,  the  rising  of  petulance  and  anger.  The  house  was  very 
bad.  I  am  teaching  myself  philosophy,  but  I  could  wish  to  learn 
it  with  less  anxiety  for  my  dear  family.  Made  up  my  mind  that  it 
was  of  no  consequence  at  all  what  Kemble  did  at  Covent  Garden  ;  it 
is  impossible  he  could  persuade  the  people  that  he  is  an  actor — "  let 
him  do  his  spite!  " 

Elstree,  September  22nd. — Wrote  a  letter,  which  I  copied,  to  Miss 

Ellen  Tree,  expressing  my  desire  to  offer  her  a  mark  of  regard,  and 

suggesting  a  farewell  Benefit  as  the  most  serviceable  mode  of  doing  so, 

mentioning  Mr.  Osbaldiston's  assent  to  the  proposal  of  having  it  at 

342 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Co  vent  Garden  theatre,  and  offering  to  do  anything  myself  upon  the 
occasion — to  study  Adrastus  for  her,  if  she  would  wish  to  have  Ion  for 
her  play.  I  was  glad  when  I  had  done  it,  as  a  kind  thing  to  her,  and 
an  evidence  to  Talfourd  and  his  friends  that  I  had  no  unworthy  feeling 
in  respect  to  this  play's  subsequent  performance. 

Shrewsbury,  September  27f7i. — Went  to  rehearsal.  It  was  my  wish 
to  be  courteous  and  good-natured,  but  my  tolerating  spirit  was  tried 
by  the  sullen  demeanour  of  more  than  one  person.  It  is  not  fair  to 
compare  the  disadvantages  of  this  art,  or  profession,  or  whatever  name 
may  be  accorded  to  it,  with  those  of  the  other  callings  which  require 
education.  In  the  others  men  must  be  educated  as  gentlemen.  What 
are  players?  The  refuse  of  trades,  discarded  servants;  in  short,  idle 
persons  from  every  low  stage  of  society.  It  is  some  excuse — it  really 
is — that  my  lot  has  cast  me  among  such  persons.  Went  in  a  heavy 
rain  to  the  theatre,  to  play  Virginius.  The  drudgery  of  my  employ- 
ment was  painfully  present  to  my  mind.  There  is  little  or  nothing 
to  disguise  the  bare  meanness  of  my  occupation  from  me.  Crowded 
theatres,  enthusiastic  audiences,  the  adulatory  attentions  and  caressings 
of  the  distinguished  and  influential  might,  if  I  had  enjoyed  them,  hide 
my  actual  condition  from  myself,  but  with  an  intellect  and  taste  to 
detect  and  grieve  beneath  the  vile  trade  of  "  making  myself  a  motley 
to  the  view,"  I  have  all  its  labour  of  study  and  practise  with  the  full 
sense  of  its  degradation,  and  a  very,  very  moderate  success  attending 
it.  I  continue  it  in  the  hope  of  making  by  my  gains  my  blessed 
children's  lot  more  happy.  Oh,  God,  grant  it,  and  then  I  shall  not 
have  toiled  and  borne  these  frettings  of  the  heart  in  vain.  I  strove 
to  act  well — was  frequently  thwarted  and  sometimes  annoyed  by  the 
imperfectness,  inattention,  and  wilful  neglect — or  rather  the  refusal  to 
do  their  rehearsed  parts — of  the  performers.  With  several  successful 
efforts  to  restrain  my  temper,  it  once  or  twice  escaped  my  power  of 
repression,  and  gave  me  additional  pain  and  dissatisfaction.  In  thinking 
over  Miss  E.  Tree's  letter,  I  do  not  feel  that  it  is  quite  responsive  to  the 
act  of  kindness  shown  to  her.  I  may  be  mistaken,  but  the  tone  of  the 
epistle  is  rather  cold  and,  I  think,  lojtij.  I  hope  I  misconceive  it. 
Returning  to  my  inn — in  discontent  and  repining  at  the  fate  which 
exposes  me  to  these  unhappy  transports  of  temper,  while  I  wish  and 
strive  to  check  them — I  asked  for  the  newspaper.  I  had  read  three 
pages  of  it,  and  one  or  two  columns  of  the  fourth — it  was  the  Standard 
— when  my  eyes  struck  upon  the  words  :  "  Malibran  is  no  more  !  " 
The  loudest  clap  of  thunder  in  the  calmest  sunshine  could  not  have 

343 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

given  me  a  greater  start.  I  felt  as  if  my  mind  was  stunned ;  it  was 
a  shock  that  left  me  no  power  to  think  for  some  little  time.  I  read 
on,  when  recovered  from  the  horror  and  surprise  of  the  news,  and  was 
quite  restored  by  the  stuff — the  newspaper  sentiment  and  string  of 
falsehoods  that  went  to  disfigure  the  melancholy  and  affecting  truth 
of  one — in  youth,  so  rich  in  talent,  once  so  lovely,  with  so  much  to 
enchant  and  fascinate,  and  so  much  to  blame  and  regret — suddenly 
taken  from  a  world  so  full  of  delight  to  her,  and  to  which  she  was 
so  frequently  a  minister  of  delight.  I  once  could  have  loved  her,  and 
she  has  since  said  that  she  loved — "  was  in  love  with  " — me.  Had 
I  known  it  for  certain,  I  might  have  been  more  miserable  than  I  am. 
Latterly  she  had  decreased  in  my  regard,  and  in  my  esteem  she  had 
no  place.  This  world  is  a  sad  loss  to  her,  and  she  to  it.  Poor 
Malibran !  ^ 

September  S,Sth. — Went  over  with  care  the  dagger  soliloquy  of 
Macbeth,  which  I  think  I  can  improve,  and  I  feel  I  must  (as  this  is 
the  only  profession  by  which  I  have  a  chance  of  earning  my  own  inde- 
pendence and  my  children's  education)  give  my  mind  diligently  to  it. 
Went  to  rehearsal.  How  exceedingly  distasteful  to  me  is  the  character 
of  William  Tell  1  I  cannot  throw  myself  into  it  now.  While  finishing 
my  letter  to  dear  Catherine,  I  had  the  comfort  of  receiving  one  from 
her.  Looked  again  at  the  account  of  Malibran,  the  thought  of  whom 
kept  me  wakeful  through  the  greater  part  of  last  night.  I  was  cold, 
and  in  my  inability  to  sleep  could  retain  no  other  thought  but  of  her 
and  her  untimely  fate.  Acted  William  Tell  to  an  indifferent  house  but 
indifferently.  How  much  I  wish  that  all  tyrants  were  like  the  Gesler 
of  this  evening,  and  then  mankind  would  rise  en  masse  and  smother 
them.  I  never  saw  his  fellow — Termagaunt  and  Herod  were  fools  and 
innocents  to  him — and  he  enjoyed  it.  I  envied  him  the  relish  he  had 
for  his  own  grimacings  and  intonations.  Happy  being !  In  thinking 
upon  the  very  little  I  do  in  life  beyond  attending  to  my  profession,  and 
to  that  I  cannot  give  much  attention  out  of  the  theatre,  I  was  surprised 
to  find  that,  in  these  country  engagements  where  I  have  usually  a  daily 
rehearsal,  the  time  that  is  consumed  in  the  theatre,  rehearsing  and 

^  She  died  at  Manchester  on  September  23,  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight.  Her  last 
appearance  was  on  the  14th.  She  had  been  ailing  for  some  days,  but  was  determined 
not  to  disappoint  the  public.  In  repeating  the  duet  of  *' Vanne  se  alberghi  in  petto"  in 
Mercandante's  Andronko,  it  was  manifest  that  she  was  making  a  painful  effort,  and  on  leaving 
the  stage  she  was  seized  with  the  illness  that  proved  fatal  a  few  days  later.  Of  fragile  and 
delicate  physique  she  for  a  long  time  seriously  overtaxed  her  strength.  In  fact,  in  the 
words  of  Lablache ;  "Son  esprit  ^tait  trop  fort  pour  son  petit  corps." 

344 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

acting,  is  very  rarely,  if  ever,  less  than  eight  hours!     This  does  not 
leave  much  time  or  spirits  for  other  labours. 

September  29th. — My  spirits  were  rather  low,  as  I  went  to  rehearsal, 
determined  to  make  the  utmost  of  it  as  a  study.  I  did  try,  but — try  I 
With  all  the  discouragement  this  wretched  art  labours  under,  and  the 
utter  neglect  that  I  have  to  deplore,  I  wonder  how  I  can  rally  my 
resolution  to  persevere  as  I  do — but  these  efforts  at  animation  are  like 
a  dying  candle's  flashes !  Called  on  H.  Bloxam ;  saw  his  wife  and 
children — not  very  interesting — everyday  sort  of  persons.  I  was 
forcibly  struck  with  his  picture,  taken  when  a  boy  by  Harlow  ^  and 
touched  by  Lawrence ;  it  gave  back  the  very  child  I  recollect  so  well — 
the  lovely  boy — and  opposite  to  it  was  an  accurate  resemblance  of  him 
as  he  is,  bald-headed,  long-faced  and  spectacled ;  it  made  me  feel  the 
utter  worthlessness  and  insecurity  of  beauty — and  yet  how  irresistible 
it  is  I  He  walked  with  me  by  the  Castle  to  the  inn.  Read  after  dinner 
a  chapter  in  Montesquieu  on  the  reign  of  Justinian.  Looked  over  also 
the  Standards  of  yesterday  and  to-day.  Buckland's  ^  treatise  has,  it 
appears,  given  birth  to  much  controversy,  and  the  Standard  has  devoted 
a  leading  article  to  the  defence  of  the  Mosaic  account  of  the  Creation ; 
or,  as  it  piously  observes,  gives  a  ''  word  for  his  Master/'  Now  really 
this  is  too  bad ! — it  is  enough  to  drive  men,  by  the  attempt  to  stultify 
them  with  such  blasphemy,  from  the  Church  of  England,  if  it  were  less 
exceptionable  than  it  is.  But  why  should  men  be  at  such  pains  to 
defend  the  ipse  dixit  statement  of  Moses?  If  it  be  strictly  true,  of 
what  consequence  is  the  interference  of  man  in  the  question? — it  is 
before  mankind,  as  are  many  other  accounts  of  the  Creation  as  widely 
believed.  Why,  then,  is  not  man  to  exercise  his  unbiassed  reason — 
the  reason  God  has  given  him  to  use — upon  this  and  other  questions, 
which,  as  those  of  morality,  for  example,  materially  affect  his  salvation  ? 
The  Moslem,  Hindoo,  Japanese,  Pagan,  Christian,  all  term  each  other 
infidels!  Need  he,  who  feels  he  possesses  the  truth,  or  is  near  the 
truth,  disturb  himself  with  the  obstinacy  or  pitiable  blindness  of  his 
less  fortunate  fellow-creatures?  The  Christian  is  expressly  forbidden 
to  do  so,  but  his  religion,  which  from  its  blessed  Author  was  a  religion 
of  charity  and  love,  is  now  a  base  and  bloody  trade,  extorting  money 

^  George  Henry  Harlow  (1787-1819) ;  a  gifted  pupil  of  Lawrence,  who  painted  various 
theatrical  celebrities.  He  is,  however,  probably  best  known  by  his  drawing  of  Byron, 
whose  intimate  friends  considered  it  the  most  lifelike  of  the  many  portraits  taken  of  the 
poet. 

*  William  Buckland  (i  784-1856) ;  geologist  and  Dean  of  Westminster  from  1845  to  1856  ; 
he  was  the  father  of  "Frank "  Buckland,  the  well-known  naturalist. 

345 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

by  artifice  and  violence,  and  caring  little  or  nothing  for  the  immortal 
objects  which  ought  to  be  its  care.  I  believe  I  am  a  Christian — so 
distinguished  from  that  Moloch-and-Mammon-worship,  the  Church  of 
England.  ...  I  acted  Macbeth  very  unequally.  I  strove,  but  some- 
times through  my  own  fault,  and  others  through  the  inattention  of 
these  doggers,  I  was  far  beneath  myself.  Banquo,  who  had  no  ring, 
pretended  to  pull  one  off  his  finger  and  give  it  me,  but  I  would  not  take 
it !  I  was  not  so  cross  as  I  have  often  been  with  less  provocation.  The 
very  niggardly  scale  on  which  this  theatre  is  conducted  subjects  one  to 
great  inconvenience ;  no  attendant,  one  towel  to  last  the  whole  week, 
no  fire,  and  other  deficiencies  make  it  a  hard  task  to  go  through  a  heavy 
night's  performance.  I  did  not  put  on  my  second  dress  from  the 
ill-humour  in  which  I  was. 

Worcester,  October  1st. — A  Mr.  Brough  saluted  me  from  the  coach 
that  met  us,  and  came  down  to  speak  to  me — for  the  sake  of  speaking 
to  me.  One  of  his  fellow-passengers,  who  had  learned  from  him  who 
I  was,  accosted  me  ( !) — told  me  I  was  anxiously  looked  for  at 
Worcester.  I  bowed.  He  went  up  to  his  coach  and,  I  suppose,  told 
some  one  inside  that  I  was  on  this  coach.  I  heard  the  vulgar  fellow 
say:  "Ask  him  how  Mr.  Bunn  is?"  On  which  this  person  again 
approached  the  box  where  I  sat,  and  said  :  "  Pray,  how  is  Mr.  Bunn?  " 
I  suppose  I  looked  rather  surprised,  but  said  nothing.  The  man 
laughed  very  loudly,  and  seemed  to  think  it  a  very  witty  thing.  I  do 
not  know  whether  he  was  intoxicated  or  no.  Coming  out  of  Kidder- 
minster, I  think,  I  met  Turner,  an  old  Rugbeian,  in  his  carriage.  On 
approaching  Worcester,  having  gone  over  my  part  of  Ion  by  the  way, 
I  had  my  old  battle  to  fight  with  the  mauvaise  honte  that  always 
harasses  me  in  entering  a  town  where  I  have  to  play,  but  wet  and 
soiled,  and  outside — oh,  quelle  horreur  !  I  managed  very  well  to  reach 
the  theatre,  having  left  my  luggage  with  the  book-keeper,  an  old  actor 
("  See,  actors,  what  things  ye  are !  "),  where  I  shaved  and  got  tea, 
and  acted  Ion  very  fairly  to  a  crowded  house,  for  which  unexpected 
good  fortune  I  feel  most  grateful.  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Osbald- 
iston,  wanting  the  book  of  Werner  to  rehearse  with  ! — and  very  plainly 
showing  me  that  Mr.  Pritchard  is  to  be  the  Ulric  of  my  first  night. 
Mr.  Osbaldiston  is  a  very  ignorant  and  incapable  man,  but  that  is  not 
within  my  province  to  notice.     II  faut  cultiver  notre  jardin  ! 

Elstree,  October  9,nd. — Anticipated  the  call  of  the  servant,  and  was 
down  to  breakfast,  and  took  my  departure  by  the  six  o'clock  coach  ; 
found  Mr.  Anfossi,  the  double-bass  player,  my  companion ;  we  talked 
346 


1836]  THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

over  music  meetings ;  Malibran,  her  predecessors  in  opera ;  Tramez- 
zani,  who  went  mad  from  his  failure  in  Paris — something  for  very 
harsh  critics  to  pause  upon ;  and  Ambrogetti,  who  has  become  a 
Trappist !  I  slept  occasionally,  and  went  over  to  myself  the  character 
of  Werner,  endeavouring  to  guard  against  monotony  and  tameness, 
and  above  all  to  set  myself  above  impatience  and  ill-temper. 

London,  October  3rd. — Forster  called  in,  and  to  my  great  astonish- 
ment told  me  the  play  of  the  evening  was  Macbeth  I  I  felt  that  anger 
or  irritation  would  only  make  that  an  evil  which  was  mal  a  propos,  and 
that  the  best  must  be  done  that  could  be  with  the  circumstances  as 
they  stood.  I  was  very  quiet  and  self-possessed.  Oh !  the  advantage 
of  being  so  !  Several  notes  were  lying  on  the  table,  but  I  had  not  the 
time  to  open  them.  Went  to  Covent  Garden,  and  observed  to  Mr. 
Wallack  that  I  had  only  just  learned  that  Macbeth  was  to  be  acted, 
that  I  was  quite  unprepared,  and  that  it  would  be  out  of  the  question 
to  attempt  it  without  a  rehearsal.  In  consequence,  Macbeth  was 
rehearsed  in  lieu  of  Werner.  I  tried  to  keep  myself  in  a  state  of  self- 
possession,  and  to  look  at  what  I  had  to  do.  Returning  to  chambers, 
I  laid  out  my  Macbeth's  dress,  read  the  notes  from  H.  Smith,  Ransom's, 
enclosing  stock  receipts ;  Archdeacon  Robinson  wishing  to  see  me ; 
Mr.  Phail,  with  a  tragedy  and  farce;  Mr.  Whitehead,  wishing  me  to 
play  his  Cavalier.  I  could  only  read  them.  Tried  to  keep  my  mind 
on  the  task  before  me ;  dined,  and  went  to  bed.  Rose  and  went  to  the 
theatre,  having  just  received  a  note  from  Lardner  relating  to  Wallace, 
who  now  is  comfortable,  but  for  whom,  I  perceive,  he  entertains  strong 
apprehensions.  Was  very  warmly  received  by  the  audience,  and  acted 
Macbeth — I  think — in  many  parts  as  well  as  I  could.  If  I  had  had  the 
advantage  of  a  little  time,  I  fancy  I  could  have  smoothed  several  things 
which  I  fear  were  harsh.  The  enthusiasm  of  the  audience  seemed  raised 
very  high  at  last,  and  I  was  very  loudly  called  for,  and  when  I  went 
before  the  curtain,  most  cordially  greeted.  I  felt  very  thankful  for  the 
kindness  shown  to  me,  and  my  heart  turned  upwards  to  my  God,  as 
the  fountain  of  all  the  good  that  flows  to  me.  May  He  enable  me  to 
be  worthy  of  it!  Amen!  Fitzgerald,  Forster,  Cattermole,  and 
Browning  came  into  my  room.     They  were  glad  to  see  me. 

October  4f/t. — At  the  theatre,  whither  I  went  to  rehearse  King 
John  and  Werner,  was  much  amused  by  Kemljle,  when  I  met  him,  not 
offering  to  shake  hands  with  me,  and  it  occurred  to  me  that  the 
reception  of  the  play  last  night  might  have  cooled  his  cordiality.  I 
believe  it  to   be  so.     Spoke  to  Mr.   Osbaldi^ton   about  Miss  Tree's 

347 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

Benefit.  Called  on  her  after  rehearsal  and  sat  some  time  with  her ; 
she  seemed  very  grateful  for  my  disposition  to  serve  her.  Went  to  the 
Garrick  Club  and  saw  the  newspapers — Post,  Chronicle  and  Standard^ 
brief  but  very  warm  in  their  report  of  last  night.  At  chambers  found 
the  True  Sun  sent  to  me — very  laudatory.  Wallace  had  called  and 
left  a  note  for  orders.  A  note  from  a  Mr.  Percy  for  a  few  shillings  1 
Forster  had  called  at  the  theatre  and  requested  me  to  go  to  dine  with 
him,  Fitzgerald,  and  Cattermole ;  and  in  the  morning  I  had  received 
my  book  of  Ion  and  a  very  kind  note  from  Wightwick  of  Plymouth. 
Sent  the  two  papers  I  had  received  to  Elstree.  Called  on  Forster,  who 
went  with  me  to  call  on  Cattermole,  with  whom  we  found  Fitzgerald ; 
all  went  to  dine  at  the  Cafe  de  VEurope;  spoke  to  them  about  Miss 
E.  Tree  ;  all  agreed  to  become  Committee.  Fitzgerald  left  us  ;  we  took 
tea  at  Cattermole 's.  Forster  told  me  of  a  tragedy  which  Browning 
had  completed  in  ten  days  (!)  on  the  subject  of  Strafford.  I  cannot 
put  faith  in  its  dramatic  qualities — the  thing  seems,  not  to  say 
incredible,  but  almost  impossible.     I  cannot  place  reliance  on  the  world. 

October  5th. — Acted  Werner,  as  well  as  I  could  under  the  circum- 
stances. I  rehearsed  it  more  powerfully  and  naturally  than  I  had  ever 
done,  and  hoped  to  make  it  a  splendid  impersonation — to  be  le  per- 
sonnage;  but  Mr.  H.  Wallack  was  prompted  through  the  whole  of 
Ulric  and  otherwise  distressed  me,  and  Mr.  G.  Bennett  was  as 
sensational  as  the  gasping  out  the  text  could  make  him. 

October  6th. — Forster  called.  I  looked  in  the  newspaper — Times 
— for  the  chance  of  some  notice  of  Werner,  but  of  course  there  was 
none.  Tried  to  read  King  John,  but,  if  one  has  not  made  oneself 
master  of  a  character  before  the  day  of  performance,  it  is  not  then  to 
be  done ;  all  is  chance,  and  raw,  and  wild — not  artist-like.  Acted 
King  John  in  a  style  very  much  beneath  myself — no  identity,  no  absorb- 
ing feeling  of  character ;  the  house  was  great,  and  at  the  close  (my 
dying  scene  was  the  best)  there  were  calls  for  Kemble  and  myself ;  we 
went  on  together.     I  do  not  fancy  these  duets. 

October  10th. — Called  on  Forster,  at  whose  chambers  I  saw  Brown- 
ing, who  had  not  yet  finished  his  play,  which  I  think  a  circumstance 

to  rejoice  at.     An  application  for  relief  from  Mr.  Y ,  an  indifferent 

actor  and  not  a  good  man.  He  strove  to  run  his  sword  into  my  father 
on  the  stage  at  Manchester,  and  when  my  father  asked  him  why  he  was 
so  violent,  he  said  :  "  Because  you  struck  me,  sir !  "  which,  in  the 
character  of  Cassio,  my  father  had  to  do.  I  gave  him  what  I  ought 
not  to  have  given  him.  Went  to  theatre.  Acted  Macbeth  as  badly  as 
348 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

I  acted  well  on  Monday  last.  The  gallery  was  noisy,  but  that  is  no 
excuse  for  me ;  I  could  not  feel  myself  in  the  part.  I  was  labouring 
to  play  Macbeth;  on  Monday  last  I  was  Macbeth.  Mr.  Pritchard 
came  into  my  room  to  try  over  the  fight  and  asked  me  not  to  "  strike 
so  hard."  I  observed  to  him  that  he  struck  much  harder  than  I  did, 
to  which  he  replied  :  "  Yes,  but  I  am  obliged  to  do  it  "  !  !  !  I  said  I 
could  not  act  gently  on  purpose,  and  that  it  was  a  mere  accident  that 
he  was  struck ;  he  was  disposed  to  be  very  absurd,  and  said  that  I  had 
"  damned  him  "  on  the  previous  night.  This  I  declare  to  be  a  shameful 
falsehood.  I  never  uttered  a  word  to  him.  He  made  me  extremely 
angry  and  threw  me  into  great  agitation,  just  as  I  was  going  on  the 
stage.  I  was  very  much  to  blame — very  much  indeed — for  losing  my 
presence  of  mind,  and  especially  to  such  a  fool,  for  he  is  really  no 
better.    Oh,  God  !    Oh,  God  !    Shall  I  never  learn  to  act  with  wisdom  ? 

October  Wth. — Acted  Ion  very  much  beneath  my  summer  repre- 
sentations ;  and  yet  I  strove  to  act  well ;  but  I  have  lost  the  freshness, 
the  directness,  the  energy  of  heart  and  mind  with  which  I  broke  out 
in  Macbeth.  I  cannot  account  for  it.  I  am  all  effort  now,  not  artist- 
like at  all.  I  was  called  for  at  the  end  of  the  play,  but  the  applause 
was  not — at  least  it  did  not  look — so  cordial  and  general  as  on  my 
previous  nights.  Dow  walked  to  chambers  with  me ;  we  talked  about 
the  trial — Mr.  Thesiger — the  scoundrel — Talfourd  and  the  wretch 
Bunn.  He  attempted  to  defend  that  hired  calumniator  Thesiger,  but 
admitted  that  Talfourd  had  not  satisfied  him  in  his  exposition  of  that 
wretch's  villainy. 

October  14f/j. — Went  to  Adam  Street,  to  the  Garrick  Club,  to 
Covent  Garden  theatre,  inquiring  for  the  address  of  Mr.  Forrest ; 
called  at  Mr.  Hughes's  for  it,  and  found  him  there.  Liked  him  much — 
a  noble  appearance,  and  a  manly,  mild,  and  interesting  demeanour.^ 
I  welcomed  him — wished  him  success,  and  invited  him  to  my  house. 
He  mentioned  to  me  his  purpose  of  leaving  the  stage,  and  devoting 
himself  to  politics — if  he  should  become  President !  On  going  to  the 
Club,  I  met  Mr.  Bartley,  who  told  me  that  Mr.  Forrest  would  do,  that 
his  play  was  good,  and  he  himself  likely  to  hit.  This  I  could  sincerely 
wish,  while  it  did  no  injury  to  myself ;  but  my  home  is  so  dear  to  me 
that  charity  must  satisfy  itself  there  before  it  can  range  abroad. 

Elstree,  October  15th. — Rose  late,  and  canvassed  with  my  counsel 

^  This  favourable  impression  of  Forrest,  the  American  actor,  is  especially  interesting  in 
connection  with  the  fierce  enmity,  nearly  culminating  in  a  tragedy,  which  afterwards  spran 
up  between  him  and  Macready. 

349 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

of  the  Home  Department  the  best  mode  of  arrangement  in  inviting 
Mr.  Forrest  to  our  home.     Wrote  a  note  of  invitation  to  him. 

London^  October  17t/i. — Dow  called,  and  brought  me  the  news  of 
the  Drury  Lane  representation,  viz.  that  Mr.  Forrest  had  quite  suc- 
ceeded, and  that  the  play  had  been  as  completely  damned.  His  opinion 
was  that  he  was  a  very  good  actor,  but  he  did  not  think  him  a  great 
one.  I  cannot  of  course  have,  as  yet,  any  opinion ;  but  this  I  know, 
that  when  I  saw  him  nine  years  ago,  he  had  everything  Avithin  himself 
to  make  a  very  great  actor. 

October  18th. — Woke  late  and  much  fatigued.  Wilkin  called 
about  greatcoat.  Looked  at  the  Times  for  the  account  of  Mr. 
Forrest,  whom  they  pronounced  to  be  "  more  spirited  than  any  tragic 
actor  now  on  the  stage."     It  is  not  surprising ;  the  only  wonder  is  how 

I  have  retained  any  spirit  at  all,  that  I  have  not  long  since My 

heart  is  chafed,  bruised,  and  almost  crushed ;  yet  I  must  bear ;  it  is  the 
lesson  of  my  life,  which  I  must  early  teach  to  those  beloved  children. 
At  Garrick  Club  saw  newspapers,  high  in  praise  of  Forrest,  which  the 
persons  there  were  not.  Wrote  a  note  to  Forrest ;  enclosed  with  a  note 
George's  letters  to  him  in  Bulwer's  frank.  Lay  down — quite  tired. 
Dow  called  about  nothing.  Acted  Ion,  judging  from  the  little  applause, 
very  feebly,  and  yet  I  strove  to  be  in  earnest  and  energetic.     Miss 

would  make  me  think,  if  I  were  a  young  man,  that  she  had 

designs  upon  me — but  I  suppose  it  is  all  the  truth  of  acting. 

October  19th. — Called  on  Forster,  and  learned  there  that  my  mis- 
givings about  Talfourd's  coldness  were  not  ill-founded ;  he  has  taken 
some  caprice  into  his  head  and  is  weak  enough  to  indulge  it.  I  am 
sorry,  very  sorry  for  this ;  but  it  is  most  unjust,  for  I  have  ever  acted 
honestly,  zealously,  and  with  pure  disinterestedness  in  my  whole  course 
of  friendship  with  him.  He  has  twice  sought  my  intimacy,  and  I 
suppose  will  twice  relinquish.  This  is  not  well — but  here  is  the  rise 
of  pride !     Very,  very  unworthy. 

October  20t/t. — Wrote  to  Forster  urging  him  to  deal  liberally  and 
kindly  by  Forrest  in  his  notice.^  Began  to  read  Othello,  which 
occupied  me  the  whole  evening.  Debated  upon  the  propriety  of  writing 
a  note  to  Talfourd,  but  am  so  entirely  at  a  loss  to  guess  at  the  cause 
of  his  conduct  that  I  really  know  not  how. 

October  21st. — Battle   of  Trafalgar.      On   my   way   to   rehearsal 

^  This  is  an  important  entry  inasmuch  as  Forrest  afterwards  alleged  that  Macready  had 
taken  an  exactly  opposite  course,  thus  furnishing  him  (Forrest)  with  a  just  ground  for 
retaliation. 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

called  on  Forster,  who  would  have  stimulated  me  to  repel  with  indiffer- 
ence Talfourd's  conduct.  Such  is  not  my  nature.  Went  to  rehearsal, 
where  I  was  depressed  by  finding  myself  not  possessed  with  the  char- 
acter of  Othello,  and  annoyed  by  the  carelessness  of  the  people  about 
the  arrangement  of  the  last  scene.  Oh,  what  a  change  has  taken  place 
in  this  theatre!  I  remember  it  offering  accommodation  to  the  actor 
in  every  particular,  and  now  it  is  a  dirty  desert  except  before  the 
curtain,  which  perhaps  may  be  looked  on  as  a  reproof  to  my  complaint. 
Lay  down  and  looked  over  Othello,  about  which  I  was  exceedingly 
nervous.  Forster  called  for  an  order.  Suffered  very  much  from  want 
of  self-possession — in  truth  from  want  of  time  to  have  prepared  myself. 
Very  fortunately  there  was  a  riot  from  the  exceeding  crowd  in  the 
theatre,  which  made,  I  fancy,  other  persons  as  nervous  as  myself,  and 
I  was  pleased  and  encouraged  on  hearing  the  other  actors  in  the  play 
receive  as  little  applause  as  myself — if  indeed  they  did  not  meet  with 
less.  But  in  the  third  act  of  Othello  I  rose  into  energy,  though  wanting 
finish,  and  produced  a  great  deal  of  applause ;  in  fact,  I  felt  myself 
lauded,  but  I  was  very  much  distressed.  I  held  the  audience  through 
the  play,  and  was  called  for  at  the  end ;  when  I  went  on,  I  was  very 
enthusiastically  received. 

Elstree,  October  22nd. — It  was  a  great  relief — a  great  gratification 
to  me  to  read  in  the  Times  a  very  laudatory  notice  of  my  Othello.  I 
read  two  acts  and  the  preface  of  La  V oilier e  and  enjoyed  my  walk  in 
a  sweet,  sunshiny  morning  to  my  dear  home,  where,  thank  God,  I  found 
all  well. 

London,  October  24f7i. — My  spirits  were  very  low,  and  I  had  begun 
the  page  on  which  I  am  now  writing,  when  old  Dow — staunch  old  Dow 
— came  in ;  shortly  after  him,  Forster.  They  gave  me  an  account  of 
Mr.  Forrest's  performance  of  Othello.  It  would  be  stupid  and  shallow 
hypocrisy  to  say  that  I  was  indifferent  to  the  result — careless  whether 
he  is  likely  to  be  esteemed  less  or  more  than  myself ;  it  is  of  great 
importance  to  me  to  retain  my  superiority,  and  my  wishes  for  his 
success  follow  the  desire  I  have  to  be  considered  above  him  !  Is  this 
illiberal  ?  I  hope  not.  Their  accounts  of  his  performance  have  cer- 
tainly reduced  very  much  my  opinion  of  his  mind,  which  from  the 
particulars  they  related  cannot  be  of  the  highest  order.  Forster  says 
that  he  will  be  greatly  praised  in  the  papers,  but  both  agree  that  he 
will  not  attract. 

October  25f/i. — Looked  at  the  newspapers  with  great  anxiety  for 
the  account  of  Mr.  Forrest's  Othello.     The  Times  had  a  most  insidious 


THE    DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

article — a  Times  article ! — upon  which,  if  charged,  it  would  disclaim 
all  intention  of  comparison,  but  intended  to  convey  the  idea  of 
superiority  in  Mr.  Forrest,  still  unable  to  use  strong  terms  of  praise — 
to  apologize  for  and  offer  excuses  and  reasons  for  much  which  it 
admitted  to  be  feeble  and  ineffective.  The  Herald  and  Post  were  both 
qualified ;  felt  the  performance  not  to  have  been  a  thoroughly  successful 
one.  Letitia  arrived.  I  wrote  a  note,  with  order,  to  Colonel  Birch 
and  to  Sir  J.  Marshall.  Forster  called,  angry  about  the  newspapers  to 
Mr.  Forrest.  Wrote  an  invitation  to  Dowling.  Lay  down,  my  spirits 
depressed  by  the  unfair  tone  of  the  newspapers,  and  read  over  Othello. 
At  the  theatre  there  was  a  violent  disturbance  from  the  overcrowded 
state  of  the  pit;  the  audience  demanded  that  the  money  should  be 
returned,  the  play  could  not  be  heard.  Charles  Kemble  went  forward, 
addressed  the  audience,  spoke  to  Mr.  Wallack — but  by  merely  tem- 
porizing he  effected  nothing.  The  first  scene  ended  in  dumb  show. 
Mr.  H.  Wallack  went  forward  in  the  next  scene,  but  his  speech  was 
shuflfling,  evasive — anything  but  an  answer  to  the  downright  demand 
of  "  Return  the  money  I  "  The  audience  would  not  allow  the  play  to 
proceed  and,  at  last,  after  speaking  to  Mr.  Vandenhoff,  I  went  forward. 
I  said  that  '  under  the  circumstances  of  peculiar  inconvenience  from 
which  so  many  seemed  to  be  suffering,  I  scarcely  knew  what  to  say,  and 
that  if  I  should  say  anything  that  might  appear  to  give  offence  either  to 
them  or  the  management,  I  hoped  I  should  stand  excused ;  but  as  the 
only  means  of  remedying  the  present  inconvenience  and  relieving  both 
those  who  were  desirous  of  going  and  those  who  wished  to  remain,  if 
the  ladies  or  gentlemen  who  could  not  obtain  room  would  require  their 
money  from  the  door-keeper,  and  tell  him  to  charge  it  to  my  account, 
I  should  be  most  happy  to  be  responsible  for  it.'  The  whole  house 
cheered  very  enthusiastically,  and  like  the  sea  under  the  word  of 
Neptune,  the  waves  were  instantly  stilled.  Kemble  said  afterwards, 
"If  he  had  thought  of  it,  he  should  have  said  the  same,  but  it  never 
entered  his  head."  Voila  Kemble  !  I  was  shaken  out  of  my  identity 
by  the  disturbance,  but  I  did  my  best — not  very  good,  though  Forster, 
who  came  into  my  room,  very  kindly  thought  it  was.  Was  called  for 
at  the  end,  and  went  forward.     Forster  walked  to  chambers  with  me. 

October  ^Ith. — I  sent  in  to  Forster,  and  heard  further  from  him 
of  the  set  that  is  making  against  me  to  elevate  Mr.  Forrest.  This  is 
ungenerous,  but  as  I  did  not  wish  to  be  an  ungenerous  rival  to  him, 
I  again  requested  Forster  not  to  write  in  harshness  or  hostility  upon 
his  performance.     He  was  very  peremptory  and  distinct  in  his  expressed 


-■i^s?^ 


CHARLES    KEMBLE 

From  an  engraving 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

resolution  to  keep  his  own  course.  At  Garrick  Club  I  saw  the  papers — 
the  Morning  Herald  also  of  yesterday,  of  which  the  Editor  ought  to 
be  ashamed.  It  was  an  effort  to  abuse  and  depreciate  me,  but  in  the 
most  positive  manifestation  of  his  own  ignorance  the  writer  seemed  as 
if  he  could  not  or  dared  not — I  do  not  know  what  he  means.  The 
play-bills  of  Drury  Lane  pronounce  Mr.  Forrest  the  "  most  extraordi- 
nary actor  of  the  day."  He  has  never  been  cheated  by,  nor  punished 
the  writer — it  is  therefore  true!  Saw  Kemble,  Fladgate,  and  Price, ^ 
who  came  to  me  with  a  list  of  names  for  a  complimentary  dinner  to 
Mr.  Forrest,  asking  me  to  put  my  name  to  it.  I  had  no  alternative, 
but  it  is  very  indelicate,  to  say  the  very  least,  that  an  American  should 
thus  make  himself  a  party  in  such  a  business. 

October  28t/i. — Mr.  G.  Dance  told  me  that  C.  Kemble  had  been 
appointed,  without  solicitation,  to  the  office  of  Licenser  vice  George 
Colman,^  who  died  the  day  before  yesterday.  How  poorly  he  has 
shrunk  out  of  existence — a  man  of  some  talent,  much  humour  and 
little  principle.  Fortune  seems  to  shower  her  benefits  on  those  who 
certainly  from  their  talents  and  virtues  can  make  little  claim  to  them. 
For  character,  look  at  C.  Kemble — what  he  really  is  and  what  he 
passes  for  !  I  feel  discontented  (am  I  envious?)  at  seeing  place  and 
wealth  conferred  so  unmeritedly ;  but  thus  it  almost  always  has  been, 
and  I  suppose  ever  will  be.  They  called  me  to  go  on  the  stage,  but 
I  heard  one  or  two  voices  roaring  out  "Vandenhoff,"  and  I  declined 
the  honour.  I  do  not  know  if  they  had  him  on.  Talfourd  came  into 
my  room  and  seemed  very  glad  to  see  me.  Dow  walked  home  with  me 
and  sat  very  late.  I  expressed  to  him  strongly  how  very  much  annoyed 
and  distressed  I  felt  at  Forster's  expressed  resolution  to  write  a  severe 
article  on  Mr.  Forrest ;  he  being  known  to  be  a  friend  of  mine,  my 
situation  was  particularly  painful. 

October  29th. — Read  Forster's  criticism  on  Mr.  Forrest,  which 
gave  me  very  great  pain.  I  thought  it  ill-natured  and  not  just — 
omitting  all  mention  of  his  merit,  with  the  enumeration  of  his  faults. 
I  would  have  done  much  to  have  prevented  it.  Forster  came,  and 
I  expressed  candidly  my  dissatisfaction  to  him.' 

October  SOth. — Browning  arrived,  told  me  of  a  most  exaggerated 

*  Stephen  Price,  manager  of  the  Park  Theatre,  New  York. 

*  George  Colman  the  younger  (1762-1836)  ;  dramatist  and  theatrical  manager.  He 
fulfilled  his  duties  as  licenser  with  scrupulousness  and  judgment. 

*  This  article  was  the  origin  of  Forrest's  animus  against  Macready  ;  it  was  evidently  one 
of  Forster's  "slashers,"  and  though  honestly  intended  in  Macready's  interest  had  the  most 
disastrous  consequences. 

VOL.1.  A  A  253 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

notice  of  Mr.  Forrest's  Othello  in  the  Athenseum — "Decius  (Mr.  C. 
Dance)  was  once  my  friend ;  "  he  is  now  the  close  ally  of  Mr.  Price, 
and  thus  we  obtain  just  and  correct  criticism.  Whilst  I  was  dressing, 
Messrs.  Forrest,  S.  Price  and  Jones  arrived.  We  talked  in  the  draw- 
ing-room with  Browning  and  Dow,  till  the  arrival  of  Talfourd  and 
Mr.  T.  R.  Price  and  White.  Introduced  all  to  Forrest.  Asked  him 
to  take  Mrs.  Macready  down.  Spent  an  agreeable  and  cheerful  after- 
noon. My  American  friends  did  not  return  to  the  drawing-room.  I 
was  very  much  relieved  from  any  feeling  of  regret  I  may  have  felt  in 
learning  from  Talfourd  that  he  thought  Forster's  article  in  the 
Examiner  borne  out  in  its  fidelity  by  the  evidence  it  gave ;  he  thought 
it  well  done.     Dow  and  Browning  left  us  early — then  the  Talfourd  party. 

London,  October  31st. — Forster  and  Browning  called.  Browning, 
who  said  his  play  of  Strafford  was  finished,  soon  left.  Forster  told  me 
that  Bulwer  would  call  at  one  o'clock.  He  did,  and  we  discussed  the 
alterations  I  had  suggested,  to  which  he  assented.  I  advised  him  to 
see  Mr.  Osbaldiston,  and  we  agreed  that  the  play  should  be  read  on 
Wednesday.  Called  at  Covent  Garden  theatre,  but  Mr.  Osbaldiston 
was  not  to  be  found.  Went  to  Garrick  Club,  where  I  dined  and  saw 
newspapers — and  puffings  of  Mr.  Forrest  in  all  directions  :  "  Mac- 
ready's  opinion  of  Mr.  Forrest :  *  Sir,  there  has  been  nothing  like  him 
since  Kemble !' "  Fact!  Globe.  This  is  rather  too  bad.  My  spirits 
were  low.  Every  one  around  me  seems  helped  on  by  fortune ;  I  have 
the  dogged  course  of  labour  to  pursue  with  all  its  uncertainties.  Acted 
King  John  tolerably  well — the  second  scene  with  Hubert  better  than 
before  by  taking  time  between  the  periods  of  passion. 

November  1st. — I  think  I  acted  Othello  well  with  considerable 
spirit,  and  more  pause  than  I  generally  allow  myself,  which  is  an 
undoubted  improvement.  Dow  and  his  friend  came  into  my  room — I 
wish  he  would  not  bring  his  friends  to  me ! — Forster,  and  afterwards 
Wallace ;  Wallace  thought  I  acted  pretty  well,  but  not  so  well  as  he 
had  seen  me.  I  think  that  this  must  have  referred  to  a  want  of 
finish  in  deportment  and  aplomb,  which  I  have  not  had  in  the  character 
at  Covent  Garden,  from  want  of  notice  to  prepare  myself.  Forster 
was  in  my  chambers  when  I  reached  them.  He  wished  to  tell  me  of 
an  intrigue  that  is  on  foot  to  secure  Knowles's  new  play  to  Drury  Lane 
and  Mr.  Forrest ;  he  suspects  that  Mr.  S.  Price  is  concerned  in  the 
purchase  or  traffic,  whatever  it  may  be.  Mr.  S.  Knowles  requested  the 
loan  of  ^60  from  me  a  few  days  since.  I  think  he  might  have  paid 
back  the  kindness  I  showed  him  by  giving  me  at  least  the  refusal  of 

354 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

his  play,  as  he  said  to  Forster  he  would  do.  But  I  have  only  known 
Mr.  Knowles,  to  know  him  as  a  man  utterly  forgetful  of  the  deepest 
obligations ;  if  I  live,  I  shall  see  severer  retribution  than  I  wish  to  do. 
Forster  told  me  of  Browning's  play  which  he  praised  most  highly ;  but 
I  fear  he  has  such  an  interest  in  the  individual  characters,  the  bio- 
graphies of  whom  he  has  written,  that  he  is  misled  as  to  its  dramatic 
power ;  character  to  him  having  the  interest  of  action.  Nous  verrons  ! 
Heaven  speed  it !     Amen  ! 

November  9,nd. — Read  Bulwer's  play  of  the  Duchess  of  La  Valliere 
in  Mr.  Osbaldiston's  room.  The  actors  and  actresses  were,  or  seemed 
to  be,  very  much  pleased  with  the  play,  but  I  cannot  put  much  con- 
fidence in  them.  Going  out  of  Covent  Garden  theatre  I  met  Mr. 
Sheridan  Knowles  at  the  door ;  he  did  not  seem,  because  he  endeavoured 
to  seem,  at  ease  in  meeting  me.  He  asked,  I  think,  what  news?  I 
told  him  none,  but  that  his  play  had  been  sent  to  Drury  Lane. 
"Yes,"  he  said;  *  that  it  was  entirely  a  woman's  play,  and  he  could 
not  trust  it  to  Miss  Faucit — that  I  should  not  have  done  the  man's 
part  in  it.'  "Then,"  I  observed,  "it  is  as  well  you  have  not  given 
me  the  pain  of  refusing  it."  I  asked  him  what  woman  they  had  at 
Drury  Lane.  He  said  that  they  were  expecting  some  one.  I  answered, 
"  Yes,  Miss  Phillips."  I  then  called  Mr.  Pritchard,  spoke  to  him 
a  word  or  two  on  La  Vallihre,  and  left  Mr.  Knowles  rather  coolly. 
Dined  at  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  also  received  with  marked  coolness 
the  advances  of  Mr.  Bartley.  Of  what  use  is  it  to  keep  a  smiling  face? 
They  cut  your  throat  or  heart  while  they  smile  on  you — Mr.  Meadows, 
Price,  W.  Jones  ( ! ),  Fladgate.  Called  on  Forster;  Mr.  Mahoney 
(Father  Prout)  called  in.  Wrote  notes  to  Dow  and  to  Catherine,  and 
read  over  part  of  Ion,  which  I  acted  very  well ;  the  audience  were  quite 
tumultuous  in  their  call  for  me,  but  I  was  undressed.  Dow  came  into 
my  room.  Spoke  to  Mr.  H.  Wallack  about  the  National  Theatre,  New 
York,  and  told  him  I  should  be  happy  to  receive  communications  from 
them  and  send  them  any  books,  etc.  I  spoke  a  long  time  with  Mr. 
Osbaldiston,  suggesting  the  expediency  of  making  an  offer  to  Miss 
Phillips — either  by  that  means  to  secure  her  services  or  to  raise  her 
terms  at  the  other  theatre.     Osbaldiston  agreed  to  do  so. 

November  Srd. — Called  on  Miss  Martineau,^  who  told  me  of  many 
friends  she  had  seen  in  the  United  States,  and  of  her  intended  book 
upon   the   country.      I   was   surprised   and   sorry   to   hear   her   say   of 

^  Harriet  Martineau  (1802-1876),  the  well-known  writer,  then  just  returned  from  a  two 
years'  visit  to  America. 

AA2  355 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

Webster  *  that  his  private  character  was  bad.  Alas !  Alas  I  She 
liked  Clay  the  best  of  the  American  statesmen.  She  is  a  very  zealous 
abolitionist,  but,  I  think,  has  got  some  illusive  notions  on  the  actual 
state  of  opinion  on  that  perplexing  question.  She  talks  more  than  she 
did — should  I  say  too  much  ? — and  it  fatigues  one  to  hold  her  trumpet 
long.  She  spoke  in  the  warmest  terms  of  Mrs.  Butler ;  her  qualities  of 
head  and  heart.  Forster  and  Browning  called,  and  settled  next 
Wednesday  sennight  for  the  reading  of  the  Earl  of  Strafford.  A  note 
from  Dowling.  Dined  with  Forster  at  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw 
the  papers,  in  which  was  a  quiz  upon  the  Drury  Lane  players  giving 
a  box  to  Mr.  Forrest  in  token  of  their  appreciation  of  his  "  private 
worth."  "Price  the  clown  had  thrown  thirty-one  somersaults  succes- 
sively, for  which  the  company  had  given  him  a  box  in  testimony  of 
their  admiration  of  his  talent  as  a  somersault  thrower  and  his  worth 
as  a  man,  but  they  had  known  him  a  week !  "  James  Smith,  Poole, 
Price,  Fitzroy  Stanhope,  etc.,  dined  there  and  left  soon.  Murphy  and 
Raymond  came  in,  and  I  was  indiscreet  enough — mad  enough — to  let 
my  "dear  judgment  out,"  and  lose  my  temper  in  speaking  of  the 
Drury  Lane  proprietors,  and  Mr.  Bunn.  Mr.  Raymond  was  first 
speaking  of  his  cleverness,  and  then  appeared  to  doubt  the  correctness 
of  the  general  persuasion  that  he  was  a  scoundrel.  I  very  foolishly 
spoke  very  vehemently  upon  the  subject.     "  Oh  !  fool  !  fool  !  fool  !  " 

November  4t7i. — Acted  Othello — not  perhaps  quite  equally — but, 

taking  one  part  with  another,  very  fairly.     Is  Miss  disposed  to 

coquette  with  me?  I  cannot  quite  understand  her.  Called  for  and 
very  enthusiastically  received  by  the  audience.  Talfourd,  Forster,  and 
Dow  came  into  my  room.  Forster,  who  did  not  like  Mr.  Forrest's 
Lear  so  well  as  his  Othello,  left  soon.  Talfourd  spoke  in  the  highest 
strain  of  the  last  night's  Ion,  which  he  saw,  and  was  prevented  from 
coming  round  by  Mr.  H.  Wallack's  declaration  that  I  had  left  the 
theatre.  I  spoke  to  him  about  my  action  against  Bunn ;  he  coincided 
with  my  views,  and  counselled  the  letting  it  rest,  and  if  they  moved 
in  it,  to  pay  the  dues  upon  it — my  own  purpose.  Dow  walked  home  with 
me,  and  we  took  oysters  and  porter  in  the  alley  leading  to  Hoi  born. 

November  '7th. — Drove  dear  Catherine  to  town  in  Dow's  cab,  but 
the  difficulty  of  getting  his  horse  (old  Bob)  along  made  it  a  very 
uncomfortable  journey.  I  took  a  coach  in  Great  Portland  Street — 
leaving  the  horse  and  cab,  which  I  could  not  pretend  to  get  through 
the  streets.     I  was  much  wearied  with  whipping  and  with  nervousness. 

*  The  United  States  President. 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Forster  called ;  was  very  much  annoyed  and  distressed  by  the  abusive 
article  in  yesterday's  Age.  I  told  him  I  had  at  first  thought  he  ought 
to  chastise  the  reptile,  Westmacott,  but  on  reflection  was  decidedly 
averse  to  any  notice  being  taken  of  anything  so  utterly  contemptible. 
He  told  me  that  he  had  consulted  Fitzgerald  and  Fonblanque ;  the  first 
recommended  a  severe  horsewhipping  without  a  word ;  the  latter  stated 
his  general  principle,  viz.  that  if  a  man  was  worth  horsewhipping,  he 
was  worth  calling  out — which  horsewhipping  might  lead  to,  and  that 
therefore,  if  Forster  took  any  notice  of  it,  he  ought  to  give  it  the  option 
of  a  gentleman's  conduct.  I  strongly  dissuaded  him  from  doing  any- 
thing, but  he  could  only  listen  to  his  passion,  and  judgment  had  no 
chance.  Lay  down  after  writing  him  a  short  note,  urging  his  forbear- 
ance, and  tried  to  think  of  Othello.  Met  H.  Smith  on  the  stairs,  who 
walked  with  me  to  the  theatre.  Acted  Othello,  not  exactly  well,  but 
again  derived  great  benefit  from  taking  time  between  my  sentences. 
O'Hanlon's  suggestion  about  greater  slowness  was  not  lost  to  me. 
Called  for  by  the  audience  and  went  on — was  well  received. 

November  Sth. — Sent  to  Forster,  whom  I  wished  again  to  see — to 
reason  with  against  proceeding  in  re  Westmacott.  Forster  called, 
and  gave  me  to  understand  that  the  matter  was  to  be  referred  to  Henry 
Berkeley,^  on  whose  opinion  he  was  to  act.  This  is  all  wrong  in  my 
mind.  He  should  either  not  act  at  all,  but  pass  with  indifference  and 
contempt  the  expressions  and  insults  (if  the  vituperation  of  a  villain 
can  be  called  an  insult)  of  so  vile  a  wretch,  which  I  think  most  decidedly 
he  ought  to  do ;  or,  without  consulting  any  one,  if  he  has  any  unknown 
personal  motive  for  resolving  to  stop  any  future  impertinence,  he  should 
go  at  once,  and  inflict  a  most  memorable  chastisement  upon  him.  He 
is  in  a  fret,  and  not  in  a  passion.  I  fear  he  will  not  come  well  out  of 
it;  and,  as  I  really  regard  him  very  much,  I  wish  he  would  be  more 
temperate  and  more  decided. 

November  9th. — Sent  in  to  inquire  after  Forster,  heard  that  he  had 
gone  to  Brighton  and  would  be  home  at  night.  I  imagine  it  is  in 
pursuit  of  Mr.  Westmacott.  I  can  only  add,  "  Nobly,  ye  gods !  oh, 
nobly!  "  I  hope  he  will  not  discredit  himself.  Went  to  the  theatre 
in  low  spirits.  Could  not  force  my  spirit  into  the  shape  and  body  of 
Ion,  which  I  acted  but  feebly — ineffectively.  Talfourd  and  his  son  Frank, 
and  Dow,  came  into  my  room.  Dow  and  myself  went  to  an  oyster  shop, 
and  then  tried  to  make  Forster  hear,  but  we  could  not  get  in. 

*  A  well-known  "man  about  town,"  belonging  to  the  somewhat  militant  family  of  that 
name. 

357 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

November  10th. — Sent  in  to  Forster,  heard  that  he  was  returned 
and  lying  down ;  in  my  anxiety  to  know  what  he  had  done,  went  in  and 
spoke  to  him.     He  said  he  would  call  on  me  in  half-an-hour.     Sent 
orders  to  Wallace.     Bourne  called  and  Forster,  whom  I  saw  and  talked 
with  in  my  bedroom.     He  told  me  he  had  been  down  to  Brighton  to 
see  Mr.  C.  Kean,  in  consequence  of  a  report,  widely  circulated,  and 
communicated  to  him  by  Mr.  S.  Price,  that  "  Mr.  C.  Kean  had  said 
Forster  had  declared  in  his  hearing  that  no  man  should  succeed  as  a 
first  actor  while  Macready  was  on  the  stage."     This  having  been  said 
to  Mr.   Cooper,   Forster  called   on  Mr.   Cooper,   who  confirmed  the 
statement.     He  obtained  a  statement  from  Mr.  Kean,  which  I  could 
not  well  understand,  but  it  seemed  to  me  that  he  merely  stood  upon 
what  he  had  said  to  Mr.  Cooper,  viz.  that  he  had  understood  Mr. 
Forster  to  use  leords  to  that  effect  three  years  ago;  and  adding  that, 
whether  he  considered  it  a  compliment  or  no  he  could  not  tell,  but  that 
he  was  kept  from  town  by  his  dread  of  the  Examiner.     I  told  Forster 
I  thought  that,  having  moved  so  much  in  the  business,  he  ought  to  do 
something  and  do  it  determinedly  and  completely  in  regard  to  Mr. 
Westmacott ;  he  left  me  to  consult  Fonblanque.  .  .  .  Forster  called, 
and  the  upshot  of  all  is  that  he  put  the  declaration  of  Mr.  Kean  in 
Mr.  S.  Price's  hands  at  Fonblanque's  suggestion,  and  at  the  "earnest 
entreaty  "  of  both  Fonblanque  and  Price  he  had  decided  on  taking  no 
further  notice  of  Westmacott.     Acted  much  of  King  John — all  but  the 
scene  of  accusation  against  Hubert — very  well  indeed ;  was  called  for 
but  did  not  go  forward.     Mr.  W.  Jones  was  behind  the  scenes,  and 
I  was  talking  to  him.     I  asked  him  to  step  into  my  room  after  the 
play ;  inquired  of  him  when  Forrest's  engagement  was  likely  to  close, 
as  I  should  like  to  pay  some  professional  compliment  to  him.     He  said 
it  was  uncertain,  it  might  end  in  a  week  or  go  on  for  months.     He 
added  that  Mr.  Forrest  was  very  much  gratified  by  the  attention  I  had 
paid  him.     I  told  him  I  wished  him  to  be  pleased  with  his  visit,  and, 
while  speaking  on  the  subject,  in  strict  confidence,  wished  to  observe 
that  the  articles  which  were  so  severe  in  the  Examiner  ^  having  been 
written  by  Mr.  Forster,  who  was  a  particular  friend  of  mine,  I  begged 
to  assure  him  that,  knowing  Mr.  Forster's  opinion  of  Mr.  Forrest  to 
be  less  flattering  than  that  of  other  persons  and  other  newspapers,  I 
had  used  all  my  influence  with  him — by  word  of  mouth,  by  writing,  and 
by  the  mediation  of  friends,  to  induce  him  to  abandon  his  intention  of 
expressing  an  unfavourable  opinion  ;  that  he  had  yielded  partially  in  his 
first  review,  but  had  peremptorilv  and  repeatedly  refused  to  suppress 

358 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

or  qualify  his  opinion  on  the  subsequent  performances.  Jones  said  that 
it  had  been  said  the  articles  were  through  me,  but  that  neither  he  nor 
Mr.  Forrest  had  ever  given  attention  to  the  insinuations  and  assertions 
of  the  base  persons  who  are  to  be  found  about  a  theatre.  I  observed 
to  him,  that  to  contradict  any  such  persons  would  be  quite  beneath 
me ;  that  if  my  character  were  vulnerable  to  the  attacks  of  such  persons 
as  Mr.  Westmacott,  etc.,  it  really  was  not  worth  the  care  necessary  for 
its  preservation.  He  told  me  that  Talfourd  had  sent  him,  Mr.  Forrest, 
his  play  of  Ion  with  a  very  kind  note,  which  he  had  pointed  to  in 
refutation  of  my  interference  to  his  prejudice,  and  that  Forrest  was 
more  gratified  by  my  calling  on  him,  etc.,  than  by  anything  he  had 
met  with  here.^ 

November  l^th. — Acted  Othello  very  fairly.  Called  for  by  the 
audience  and  was  very  warmly  received.  Talfourd,  Forster  and  Dow 
came  into  my  room.  Talfourd  said  he  had  seen  the  two  first  acts  of 
Mr.  Forrest's  Lear ;  that  he  played  the  first  act  very  well,  but  the 
second  not  so  well.  Forster  quite  agreed  with  him.  Dow  was 
enchanted  with  the  last  act  of  Browning's  Earl  of  Strafford. 

November  IMh. — Acted  Brutus  in  Julius  Caesar  very,  very  feebly — 
crudely — badly — I  was  not  prepared  for  it  and  ought  not  to  have 
yielded  to  the  desire  of  the  stupid  and  ignorant  manager.  I  am 
punished  for  my  folly  by  a  complete  failure.  Such  a  thing  I  have  not 
known  these  many  days.  The  Senate  scene,  altered  at  my  instigation, 
was  very  good.     The  play  altogether  was  bad. 

Elstree,  November  15th. — Lane  called  with  the  drawings  of  Miss 
E.  Tree  and  myself,  C.  Kemble,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bartley  and  Mr.  Farren. 
"An  I  be  not  ashamed  of  my  company,"  etc.  My  experience  of  the 
professors  of  my  art  confirms  me  in  my  opinion  of  their  vileness,  their 
utter  unworthiness.  Yesterday  some  of  them  went  to  the  church, 
St.  Martin's,  where  Bannister  ^  was  buried  privately,  to  pay  respect.  I 
would,  if  I  could,  have  a  police  officer  stationed  in  the  church  where 
I  may  be  buried,  to  take  out  these  vile  intruders  on  the  sorrows  and 
rites  of  affection  and  respect.     Out  upon  them  !     Odi  et  arceo  ! 

November  \Qth. — Looked  at  as  much  as  I  could  of  Othello.  Took 
all  the  pains  I  could  with  it,  and  acted  it  very  well.  I  improve  nightly, 
I  think,  in  the  character — from  taking  time;  I  acted  it  well.  The 
audience  called  for  me,  and  received  me  most  enthusiastically.    Talfourd 

*  Forrest  gave  a  ver\'  different  account  in  after  years. 

2  John  Bannister  (1760-1836);  the  original  Don  Whiskerandos  in  the  Critic;  a  useful 
all-round  comedian.     He  retired  from  the  stage  in  1815. 

359 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1886 

and  White  came  into  my  room,  and  afterwards  Dow,  who  also  told 
me  of  the  cordial  tone  of  the  newspapers  on  Brutus.  Talfourd 
and  White  talked  much  of  Forrest.  Talfourd  showed  me  a  letter 
he  had  received  from  Forrest  in  acknowledgment  of  his  own  note  with 
his  book  of  Ion ;  he  showed  it  me — in  his  own  words,  *  that  I  might 
see  by  the  answer  the  sort  of  note  he  had  written  to  Forrest.'  This 
is  poor  work ;  why  should  I  object  to  any  fair  demonstration  of  respect 
to  Mr.  Forrest's  good  qualities  as  a  man,  or  his  talents  as  an  artist? 
I  do  not — but  Talfourd  is  a  weak,  an  inconsistent,  not  a  sterling  man. 
I  do  not  like  the  mode  of  showing  me  the  letter.^  Talfourd  wished  me 
to  dine  with  him  on  Sunday.  I  could  not.  Endeavoured  to  see  Mr. 
Osbaldiston,  or  Mr.  Wallack,  about  Bulwer's  play.  Could  not.  Went 
to  the  oyster  shop  on  my  way  to  chambers ;  called  on  Forster,  found 
Cattermole  there,  talked  over  an  edition  of  Shakspeare — to  be  illus- 
trated by  him.  Forster  talked  of  a  critical  work  on  my  performances 
after  I  had  left  the  stage.     I  was  pleased  to  hear  him  speak  of  it. 

November  18th. — Rose  late — I  do  not  know  why ;  read  the  news- 
paper, in  which  I  was  pleased  to  see  that  the  attempt  of  Bunn  to  get 
a  new  trial  v.  Vandenhoff  was  defeated ;  it  is  now  established  by  law 
that  a  manager  cannot  be  guilty  of  the  infamous  injustice  this  wretch 
was  guilty  of  last  season  driving  away  Miss  Tree,  Messrs.  Harley, 
Yarnold,  at  his  will  against  their  express  engagements.  Forster  called, 
but  had  no  conclusive  information  to  give  me  respecting  Bulwer's  play. 
I  fear  it ;  I  see  clearly  that  Forster  has  apprehensions  about  it  as  a 
reading  play,  which  I  had  not ;  and  I  have  my  misgivings,  from  the 
mode  in  which  it  will  be  acted,  of  its  success  in  representation. 

November  19th. — Browning  came  with  Dow  to  bring  me  his  tragedy 
of  Strafford ;  the  fourth  act  was  incomplete.  I  requested  him  to  write 
in  the  plot  of  what  was  deficient.  Dow  drove  me  to  the  Garrick  Club, 
while  Browning  wrote  out  the  story  of  the  omitted  parts.  I  found 
remaining  of  the  party  of  eighteen  who  sat  down  to  the  dinner  given 
to  Mr.  Forrest — himself,  Talfourd  (in  the  Chair),  Mr.  Blood  opposite, 
S.  Price,  C.  Kemble,  W.  Jones,  Zachary  ( I),  Dance,  Murphy,  Ray- 
mond and  three  others  unknown.  I  greeted  Forrest,  and  told  him  I 
was  anxious  to  be  among  his  hosts ;  Talfourd  mentioned  that  my 
health  had  been  drunk  very  cordially,  but  repeated  it  in  my  presence. 
I  was  drunk  to,   and  briefly  stated  that   "  the  attention   was  unex- 

^  Talfourd  was  evidently  aware  of  Macready's  extreme  susceptibility  on  matters  affecting 
his  professional  position,  and  not  unnaturally  wished  to  protect  himself  against  any  ground 
for  grievance  or  complaint. 
360 


1836]  THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

pected ;  that  I  came  to  pay,  not  to  receive,  a  compliment ;  and  could 
assure  my  highly-talented  friend  that  no  one  extended  the  hand 
of  welcome  to  him  more  fervently  or  sincerely  than  myself,  in  doing 
which  I  only  endeavoured  to  repay  a  small  part  of  the  debt  of  gratitude 
which  had  been  heaped  on  me  by  the  kindness  of  his  countrymen,'  etc. 
C.  Kemble  wished  that  we  should  take  wine  together,  which  we  did. 
Browning  and  Dow  soon  summoned  me,  and  I  received  the  MS.,  started 
in  a  cab  to  Kilburn,  where  I  found  a  chaise,  vice  fly,  waiting  for  me. 
I  bought  a  couple  of  cigars  and  smoked  to  Edgware.  Got  comfortably 
to  Elstree  and  found,  thank  God,  all  in  tolerable  health. 

Elstree^  November  20th. — Applied  myself  to  the  perusal  of  Brown- 
ing's MS.  of  Strafford.  I  was  greatly  pleased  with  it,  read  portions 
of  it  to  Catherine  and  Letitia.  My  little  remainder  of  the  day  was 
spent  with  my  darling  children — playing  with  and  telling  them  stories. 

London y  November  21st. — Browning  called  in  some  anxiety  to  have 
my  opinion  of  his  play.  I  told  it  frankly,  and  he  was  very  much 
pleased,  agreeing  in  my  objections,  and  promising  to  do  everything 
needful  to  the  play's  amendment.  He  sat  very  long.  Read  some 
part  of  Brutus — acted  the  part — partially  well — not  altogether.  Dow 
came  into  my  room,  having  previously  seen  Mr.  Booth's  ^  appearance 
in  Gloucester ;  he  thought  it  very  bad.  Went  with  Dow  to  an  oyster 
shop,  and  thence  we  adjourned  to  my  chambers,  where  I  gave  him  tea. 
Letters  from  Mr.  Freeman  about  his  trash,  which  he  calls  a  tragedy 
of  Amasis;  from  Mr.  Lazarus — I  wish  he  were  in  Abraham's  bosom. 

November  %Stnd. — Forster  called — about  nothing.  I  spoke  to  him 
of  the  importance  of  his  new  undertaking,  and  that  he  should  not 
trifle  with  it.  I  fear  he  gives  too  much  to  indulgence  to  carve  out  a 
great  reputation — "  to  scorn  delights  and  live  laborious  days  "  is  no 
more  his  motto  than  that  of  many  others ;  and  yet  it  is  the  only  one 
under  which  to  be  secure  of  advancing.  Forster  called  with  Brown- 
ing's MS.  Mr.  Booth,  I  perceive,  has  made  a  signal  failure  last  night. 
Talfourd  came  in ;  Forster,  Dow.  I  thought  Forster  in  rather  a 
splenetic  mood.  There  is  a  want  of  manly  consistency  in  Talfourd's 
character  which  is  not  pleasing  to  his  intimate  acquaintance.  /  do  not 
admire  it.  Forster  was  annoyed  with  his  praise  of  Mr.  Forrest.  The 
conversation  turned  on  Miss  Mitford,  who,  it  seems,  has  been  making 
application  to  Mr.  Forrest  to  act  Rienzi — a  new  play  of  hers  to  be 
written.     I  made  some  observations  on  Miss  M not  very  com- 

^  Junius  Brutus  Booth  (179S-1852)  ;  tragedian.     He  played  chiefly  in  America.     He  had 
failed  as  Richard  HI  at  Covent  Garden  some  years  previously. 

361 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

plimentary,  which  Talfourd  did  not  seem  to  like,  I  thought.  I  cannot 
understand  this  sort  of  capricious  siding  with  a  person  whom  he  has 
proved  so  base  and  worthless.  When  I  compare  the  demeanour  of 
Talfourd  now,  and  his  frank,  unembarrassed  heartiness,  speaking  out 
in  looks,  words,  and  actions,  a  year  ago,  I  am  reluctantly  obliged  to  let 
go  the  half-belief,  half-hope,  to  which  I  clung,  that  no  change  had 
taken  place.  I  must  say  I  now  feel  it  too  true.  It  is  a  painful  admis- 
sion, but  one  I  am  forced  upon.  In  my  own  conduct  I  can  find  no 
grounds  for  this  falling  off ;  he  is  not  a  high-minded  man ;  he  is,  and 
ever  has  been,  compromising,  in  some  cases  to  a  degree  of  servility — 
I  may  almost  say  meanness.  This  has  seemed  to  me  arising  from,  and 
in  some  degree  explained,  if  not  excused,  by  his  timidity  of  disposition. 
It  is  very  painful  to  me  to  entertain  such  opinions,  but  I  believe  the 
"  cooling  "  of  this  "  hot  friend  "  began  in  the  ardour  and  successful 
issue  of  my  exertions  for  his  play,  and  settled  in  his  own  weak  and 
timorous  advocacy  of  my  cause.  He  is  not  what  he  has  been,  when  he 
had  a  play  in  prospect  of  performance,  which  performance  could  only 
have  been  effected  by  myself,  and  was  undertaken  solely  because  I 
believed  it  would  make  him  happy.  I  have  nothing  in  his  case  with 
which  I  can  accuse  myself.^ 

Elstree,  November  ^rd. — Began  very  attentively  to  read  over  the 
tragedy  of  Strafford ,  in  which  I  find  more  grounds  for  exception  than 
I  had  anticipated.  I  had  been  too  much  carried  away  by  the  truth  of 
character  to  observe  the  meanness  of  plot,  and  occasional  obscurity. 
Went  into  the  garden  to  induce  my  children  to  exercise ;  set  them  at 
play  and  returned  to  my  work  on  Strafford. 

London  f  November  24tfe. — Browning  called,  and  I  told  him  that 
I  could  not  look  at  his  play  again  until  Bulwer's  was  produced,  in  which 
he  acquiesced.  Dow  called  when  I  was  trying  to  snatch  a  few  minutes' 
sleep ;  he  told  me  that  the  Age  abused  me  in  Brutus  for  having  a  **  pug 
nose  and  massive  face."  I  laughed  sincerely.  Acted  Brutus  very  well, 
better  on  the  whole  than  I  think  I  had  done  before.  Talfourd  came 
into  my  room,  and  gave  me  the  book  (bound)  of  Ion  for  Birth.  I  was 
much  pleased  with  it.  He  told  me  that  he  had  had  a  letter  from  Miss 
Mitford,  informing  him  that  she  had  written  to  Mr.  Forrest,  and  that 

^  Macready's  attitude  to  Talfourd  was  at  this  time  largely  dominated  by  his  resentment 
at  the  proceedings  in  the  Bunn  case,  in  which  he  considered  that  Talfourd  ought  to  have 
taken  a  much  stronger  line  as  his  advocate.  Brooding  over  this  grievance,  he  allowed 
himself  to  conjure  up  suspicions,  which,  in  view  of  Talfourd's  acknowledged  character,  had 
little  justification.  The  incident  illustrates  the  desirability  of  trusting  your  fortunes  in  a 
Court  of  Law  to  any  one  but  your  "own  familiar  friend." 
362 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

her  father  had  settled  with  him  that  he  was  to  play  Otto  after  Christmas, 
and  that,  her  novel  being  postponed,  she  was  to  finish  her  play  imme- 
diately. I  have  no  faith  in  her  power  of  writing  a  play,  and  to  that 
opinion  Talfourd  subscribed  to-night — concurring  in  all  I  thought  of 
her  falsehood  and  baseness!  He  asked  me  to  dine  on  Saturday  when 
Lane  dines  with  him — to  which  I  assented. 

November  26th. — Went  to  Talfourd's.  Met  Kenyon,  whom  I 
much  like,  White,  Lane,  and  some  agreeable  men.  Found  on  my 
return  to  chambers  a  note  from  a  Mr.  Milford,  asking  my  autograph. 
Talfourd  had  mentioned  his  intention  of  making  a  book  of  the  auto- 
graphs of  the  distinguished  persons  from  whom  he  had  received  letters 
on  his  Ion — a  most  interesting  collection,  and  what  a  treasure  to  the 
child  who  inherits  it. 

Elstree,  November  ^Tltli. — Dr.  Elliotson  arrived.^  Saw  and  pre- 
scribed for  Letitia;  he  took  tea  with  us.  I  liked  him  very  much.  He 
talked  of  Dr.  Gregory,^  the  homoeopathic  system,  of  which  he  expressed 
the  absurdity,  and  other  subjects  very  agreeably.  I  gave  him  a  cheque 
for  twelve  guineas,  which  I  hope  was  right,  thanked  him,  and  he  left 
us  greatly  relieved  by  his  visit. 

London,  November  29th. — Dow  and  Forster  came  into  my  room 
from  Drury  Lane,  where  they  had  been  attending  the  representation 
of  Knowles's  new  play,  the  Wreckerh  Daughter.  They  both  agreed 
in  the  opinion  that  it  was  not  good,  indifferently  acted,  and  melo- 
dramatic in  its  plot  and  construction ;  that  it  would  not  be  greatly 
attractive.  When  Knowles  parted  with  his  purity  of  mind,  he  threw 
away  the  great  power  of  simplicity  and  truth  that  made  him  so  strong. 
Delilah  has  shorn  the  head  of  Samson ! 

November  SOth. — Went  to  rehearsal.  Bulwer  came  wiih  Forster; 
went  over  part  of  the  play.     Is  the  frank — the  volunteered  expression 

of  admiration  and  partiality  of  the  part  of  Miss simplicity,  deceit, 

coquetry,  or  passion?  I  really  do  not  know,  but  suspect  that  neither 
the  first  nor  last  have  much  to  do  with  it.  Mr.  Farren  has,  in  my 
mind,  seriously  injured  this  play  by  his  intrusion  of  himself  into  the 
part  of  Lauzun.  He  does  not  understand  it.  He  is  a  very,  very 
ignorant  man.     Sent  coat  of  arms  to  Johnson  and  Allen,  coachmakers. 

^  John  Elliotson  (i 791-1868) ;  an  eminent  London  physician  ;  professor  of  medicine 
in  the  University  of  London,  a  post  which  he  was  compelled  to  relinquish  owing  to  his 
practice  of  mesmerism.  He  was  consulted  by,  and  intimate  with  many  distinguished  literary 
men  of  the  day,  among  them  Thackeray,  who  dedicated  to  him  one  of  his  novels. 

2  Probably  George  Gregory  (1790-1853) ;  F.R.S.,  F.R.C.P.,  author  of  Elements  of  (he 
Theory  and  Practice  of  Physic. 

Z^2 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1886 

I  already  repent  the  order  for  the  carriage,  and  wish  my  money  in  my 
pocket  and  the  horse  in  Yorkshire.  Acted  King  John  tolerably  well, 
but  was  much  less  applauded  than  either  Miss  Faucit  or  Kemble.  I  do 
not  think  that  the  low  prices  raise  the  judgment  of  the  audience,  for 
they  hail  rant  and  roar  with  an  ardent  spirit  of  reciprocity. 

December  1st. — Saw  the  papers  and  was  amused  to  read  the  Times^ 
criticism  on  Mr.  Forrest's  Macbeth — as  "inferior  to  his  former  eflforts 
— in  the  last  act  tame  and  not  sufficiently  studied — deficient  in  that 
robust  power,  which  is  the  main  characteristic  and  essential  quality  of 
his  acting  " — his  "  variations  of  tone  not  in  accordance  with  the  text  "  ; 
but  "it  is  questionable  if  his  second  act  could  be  surpassed  by  any 
actor  now  on  the  stage — on  the  whole,  considering  the  state  of  the 
stage,  the  performance  is  entitled  to  considerable  praise."  Has 
Forster  said  worse  than  this?  He  has  spoken  truth  honestly  and  not 
like  a  craven  parasite,  as  the  writer  of  this  recanting  article  is.  It  is 
too  bad.  Went  to  the  Garrick  Club ;  took  up  Post^  saw  that  it  was 
a  flaming  panegyric  upon  Macbeth,  about  which  even  the  play-bills  are 
cold,  and  laid  it  down  again.  Saw  a  notice  of  myself  in  Brutus  in  the 
Athenseum — trash!  Saw  Mr.  H.  Harris,  now  an  old  man — twenty 
years  ago  in  all  the  lustihood  of  youth  and  vigour — careworn  and  fast 
falling  to  a  wreck !  Oh,  my  God ! — what  is  this  life  ? — what  is  my 
life? — days  worn  out  without  the  least  improvement  of  mind,  without 
any  enjoyment,  merely  to  get  the  means  of  living !  Good  fortune 
seems  to  help  the  base  and  profligate. 

December  2nd. — Acted  Othello  with  earnestness  and  spirit,  but 
occasionally  weak  as  to  physical  power ;  very  much  applauded,  and  in 
possession  of  the  audience ;  heard  that  Mrs.  Butler  ^  was  in  the  theatre 
before  the  fifth  act,  and  from  a  feeling  of  pique  which  I  cannot  alto- 
gether account  for,  except  that  I  thought  her  an  impostor  in  the  art, 
took  particular  pains  with  the  last  scene,  and  played  it  very  powerfully ; 
was  much  applauded,  and  heard  a  call  begun  for  me  as  I  left  the  stage. 
The  prompter  came  to  my  room  for  me,  but  when  I  reached  the  stage 
I  heard  that  Mr.  Kemble  ( !)  had  gone  on ;  this  was  too  good,  so  I 
observed  that  they  would  no  doubt  be  quiet,  and  returned.  This  was 
either  a  most  extraordinary  freak  in  the  audience,  or  a  most  consum- 
mate piece  of  Jesuitical  impertinence  in  him — to  make  something  of 
himself  before  his  daughter.  I  was  not  very  pleased,  but  showed  no 
feeling  about  it. 

December  5th. — Acted  Brutus  fairly ;  was  much  struck  by  a  person 

^  Fanny  Kemble. 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

whom  I  thought  to  be  Mrs.  Butler — leaning  forward  with  looks  of 
extreme — intense  fondness  on  C.  Kemble,  when  he  stood  in  his  military 
dress  in  the  last  act  of  the  play.  Lane  ^  was  behind  the  scenes,  making 
a  sketch  of  C.  Kemble  (pourquoi  ?).  Talfourd  came  into  my  room, 
and  after  dressing  went  with  me  to  the  Garrick  Club,  where  we 
discussed  a  supper  and  Mr.  Forrest's  merits  with  Poole,  Douglas, 
White,  etc. 

December  Gth. — Miss  Huddart,  to  my  great  surprise,  called,  and  sat 
an  unreasonably  long  time,  informing  me  of  the  performers  of  Drury 
Lane  having  been  recommended  to  make  an  "  offer  "  of  their  salaries 
till  Christmas  to  Mr.  Bunn ;  also  mentioning  the  utter  failure  of  Mr. 
Forrest  in  Macbeth,  and  Mr.  Abbott's  regret  at  having  been  led  into 
such  a  mistake  as  to  think  him  a  man  of  genius. 

Decemher  1th. — Went  to  rehearsal  of  La  Valliere.  Mrs.  Glover 
observed  to  me,  hoping  I  should  not  be  offended  at  the  observation, 
that  she  had  never  seen  such  an  improvement  in  any  person  as  in  myself 
lately.  I  told  her  I  was  extremely  gratified  to  hear  her  say  so,  since 
every  art  needed  study  and  was  progressive  in  its  course  towards 
perfection.     Rehearsed  Bragelone.^     I  cannot  make  out  Miss  . 

Decemher  Sth. — A  note  from  Miss  Huddart,  informing  me  of  the 
submission  to  Mr.  Bunn's  or  Mr.  Dunn's  proposal  of  yielding,  in 
addition  to  the  salary  of  the  past  week,  half  their  salaries  till  Christmas  ; 
the  beast  is  made  for  the  burthen — the  player  is  fashioned  to  paltry 
oppression.  Called  at  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw  Mr.  Meadows, 
Planche,  and  C.  Dance,  who  were  speaking  of  the  exaction  made  upon 
the  Drury  Lane  Company.  Dow  called,  and  half-amused,  half- 
displeased  me  by  his  folly,  and  utter  want  of  judgment,  in  railing  at 
Mr.  C.  Kemble  for  advertising  singly  in  the  newspapers  his  Benefit,  and 
not  in  all  at  once,  by  which  accident  he,  Dow,  not  seeing  the  announce- 
ment until  three  days  after  the  first  advertisement,  was  too  late  to  get 
places.  No  name  was  bad  enough  for  Kemble.  I  endeavoured  to  con- 
vince him  of  his  absurdity,  but  when  he  inclines  to  stupidity  and  folly 
of  this  kind,  he  knows  no  mean ;  he  is  donkey  from  ears  to  hoofs. 
Acted  Macbeth  to  an  indifferent  house  in  a  very  earnest  and  grand 
manner.  I  think  I  was  very  good ;  called  for  by  the  audience,  but 
declined  going  on. 

Decemher  9th. — Went  much  fatigued  to  an  early  rehearsal  of  La 
Valliere,  of  which  I  begin  to  entertain  strong  and  painful  apprehen- 

*  John  Bryant  Lane  ( 1 788-1 868)  ;  portrait  painter. 

*  Macready's  part  in  Bulwer's  play,  La  Valliere. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1886 

sions.  Mr.  Farren  does  not  convey  to  me  the  least  tinge  of  resemblance 
to  the  character  of  Lauzun.  Webster  ^  seems  very  unmeaning  and 
inefficient  in  Montespan ;  Vandenhoff  not  very  impassioned  in  the  King, 
Miss  Pelham  awfully  bad  in  Madame  Montespan,  and  Miss  Faucit 
frequently  feeble  and  monotonous  in  La  Valli^re.  I  do  not  feel  that 
I  can  do  anything  worthy  of  myself  in  the  part,  but  I  will  do  my 
utmost.  Bulwer  and  Count  D'Orsay  ^  were  at  rehearsal.  The  necessity 
of  deferring  the  play  until  after  Christmas  was  suggested,  and  upon 
reflection  espoused  by  Bulwer.  Dined  at  that  vulgar  place,  the  Garrick 
Club,  where  the  principal  conversation  is  eating,  drinking,  or  the 
American  Presidency !  It  is  really  a  disgusting  place.  Mr.  Price  in 
reference  to  his  falsehood  of  Wednesday,  admitted  that  Mr.  G.  Ray- 
mond had  been  misinformed.  Saw  newspapers,  in  one  of  which,  the 
Morning  Chronicle,  was  a  letter  containing  unqualified  abuse  of  me  in 
Othello — praising  Messrs.  Kemble,  Young  and  Pope  (!)  in  the  part, 
depreciating  Kean,  and  extolling  C.  Kemble  as  a  "  Cassio  and  a  man  " 
beyond  all  Cassios  and  all  men.  I  strongly  suspect  this  attack  to  be 
the  production  of  an  ignorant  coxcomb  who  writes  the  notices  in  Cum- 
berland's   Theatre    and    signs    himself   D G .      Read    some 

amusing  papers  of  Theodore  Hook's  in  the  New  Monthly.  Coming  to 
my  chambers  lost  more  than  an  hour  in  disgust  and  ill-humour  at  the 
liability  to  insult  and  injury  under  which  my  calling  lays  me.  What 
have  we  in  this  unhappy  art  to  compensate  for  what  we  endure — the 
mischievous  puncture  of  such  a  rude  goad  as  this  wretch's  abuse  gives 
more  pain  than  Bulwer's  or  D'Orsay's  eulogy  can  give  pleasure.  Bulwer 
and  Forster  called  to  consult  with  me  on  Osbaldiston's  proposed  post- 
ponement of  La  Valliere  to  Christmas  week.  I  concurred.  Wrote  a 
note  to  O'Hanlon  about  the  Morning  Chronicle  attack. 

December  10th. — Acted  Brutus  particularly  well.  Lady  Blessing- 
ton  and  Count  D'Orsay  ^  were  there,  and  I  took  pains.  I  felt  the  part ; 
I  think  I  may  say  ^^  J' Hois  le  personnage."  Forster  came  into  my 
room  and  told  me  they  were  delighted. 

December  ISth. — Called  on  Forster,  and  proposed  to  him  to  write 

*  Benjamin  Nottingham  Webster  ( 1 797-1882) ;  afterwards  the  popular  manager  of  the 
Haymarket  and  Adelphi  theatres;  from  1829  he  took  rank  as  a  leading  London  comedian. 

*  Count  D'Orsay  (1801-1852)  was  then  at  the  height  of  his  vogue  as  an  "exquisite." 
Macready,  who  soon  afterwards  became  acquainted  with  the  Count  and  Lady  Blessington, 
appears  to  have  entertained  an  unqualified  regard  for  him,  in  spite  of  shortcomings  which 
he  would  have  severely  denounced  in  members  of  his  own  fraternity.  D'Orsay,  in  fact, 
stripped  of  his  social  glamour  was  anything  but  an  estimable  character,  and  it  is  surprising 
to  find  so  austere  a  moralist  as  Macready  a  frequent  visitor  of  the  tarnished  D'Orsay- 
Blessington  establishment. 

366 


1836]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

a  courteous  valedictory  notice  of  Mr.  Forrest,  disclaiming  personal 
feelings  and  paying  a  tribute  to  his  private  character.  Forster  very 
decidedly  refused — upon  the  belief  or  suspicion  that  Mr.  Forrest  had 
looked,  if  not  with  a  gratified,  at  least  an  indifferent  eye  upon  the 
attacks  that  had  been  made  upon  me. 

December  15th. — Acted  Brutus  moderately.  Was  weak  enough  to 
retort  on  Mr.  Vandenhoffi  the  tricks  to  which  he  has  nightly  resorted 
in  Othello,  and  latterly  in  Cassius,  to  deprive  my  effects  of  their 
applause.  He  wanted  the  hint  and  I  gave  him  a  strong  one ;  he  is  a 
most  unfair  actor — a  regular  Jesuit — he  was  very  angry,  but  dared  not 
show  it  beyond  his  discontented  look.  C.  Kemble  seems  very  gloomy 
or  glum. 

London,  December  20th. — Browning  called  and  left  with  me  the 
omitted  scenes  in  his  play.  I  called  on  Forster,  who  reported  to  me  of 
Mr.  Forrest's  Virginius  last  night  that  it  was  the  worst  of  his  per- 
formances— he  almost  seems  now  in  each  new  character  to  fit  to  himself 
the  line:  "But  worse  remains  behind."  Lay  down  on  the  sofa  and 
read  part  of  Brutus.  Acted  the  character  icell — with  energy,  dignity, 
and  freshness.  I  was  anxious  to  do  so,  and  I  felt  my  own  superiority. 
Mr.  Vandenhoff  again  resorted  to  his  dirty  tricks  of  endeavouring  to 
impede  my  effects,  and  take  the  applause  from  them,  but  I  left  him 
to  the  enjoyment  of  his  unavailing  efforts,  and  made  my  character 
stand  conspicuously  foremost  in  his  despite.  At  the  end  of  the  play 
Mr.  Kemble  lingered  in  a  ridiculous  manner  about  the  scenes,  so  that 
I  was  forced  to  pass  by  him.  I  heard  some  noise  afterwards  and  sent 
to  see  if  the  audience  were  not  applauding  on  the  occasion  of  Mr. 
Kemble  "going  forward."  The  prompter  came  to  say  that  the 
audience  were  calling  for  me,  Mr.  Kemble  having  gone  on  ;  I  merely 
observed  that  I  should  not  go.  I  cannot  believe  that  the  sense  of  the 
audience  (if  sense  were  indeed  among  them)  could  be  in  favour  of  paying 
a  compliment  to  the  worst  among  the  leading  actors  of  the  play,  and 
for  such  a  miserable  performance  as  is  the  Mark  Antony  of  Mr. 
C.  Kemble,  and  that  at  the  expense  of  those  who  stood  before  him. 
If  they  did  it  was  very  insulting,  whether  through  ignorance  or 
prejudice.  Mrs.  Butler  and  Miss  Kemble  ^  were  behind  the  scenes,  but 
I  did  not  look  at  them.  I  thought  the  latter,  whom  I  saw  before  I 
knew  who  she  was,  a  very  pretty  girl.  Dow  came  into  my  room,  and 
corroborated  the  account  of  Forster  regarding  Mr.  Forrest's  Virginius. 

*  Adelaide  Kemble  (i8 14-1879);  afterwards  Mrs.  Sartoris,  singer  and  authoress; 
daughter  of  Charles  Kemble  and  sister  of  Mrs.   Butler. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1836 

He  spoke  of  it  as  a  failure,  unredeemed  and  even  offensive ;  doubting 
if  he  would  return  to  London.  Read  over  the  omitted  scene  in  Brown- 
ing's play  of  Strafford,  which  still  is  not  up  to  the  high-water  mark. 
I  have  performed  for  the  last  time  with  Mr.  C.  Kemble — my  profes- 
sional account  is  closed  with  him,  and  I  part  with  him  without  regret 
or  esteem.  As  an  artist,  I  think  him  by  comparison  good  in  second 
and  third-rate  characters;  excellent  in  parts  of  them,  as  in  the 
drunkenness  of  Cassio,  but  complete  in  scarcely  any,  great  in  none, 
and  very  bad  in  those  of  a  higher  class.  There  is  no  character,  no 
assumption  in  anything  he  does — the  only  difference  between  the 
serious  scenes  of  Cassio  and  Mark  Antony  are,  with  him,  a  Roman- 
looking  dress  in  this  and  in  the  other  doublet  and  hose. 

December  24ith. — The  coldness  of  the  morning  contested  with  my 
good  resolutions  the  hour  of  quitting  my  bed,  but  I  was  not  late. 
After  breakfast  I  lost  some  time  in  calculating  and  reflecting  on  my 
means,  and  my  chance  of  increasing  them.  Last  night  Mr.  C.  Kemble 
left  the  stage  with  an  income  of,  at  least  I  should  suppose,  ^1200.^ 
Seven  years  ago — or  indeed  five  years  ago,  this  man,  after  havijig 
enjoyed  an  excellent  income  all  his  married  life,  was  worse  than 
nothing  !  With  a  moderate  degree  of  talent,  without  learning,  with- 
out one  amiable  or  estimable  trait  of  character,  he  makes  us  wonder  at 
his  good  fortune,  and  would  create  discontent  and  doubt  in  the  minds 
of  those  who  believed  the  recompenses  of  Providence  to  be  distributed 
in  this  world.  It  has  been  his  luck — and  luck,  as  the  sun  shines,  smiles 
indiscriminately . 

December  SOth. — In  the  course  of  the  morning  Bulwer  came  to  the 
theatre,  and  I  mentioned  to  him  the  omissions  I  had  suggested  and 
left  for  his  approval — in  all  of  which  he  acquiesced.  Acted  Ion  with 
considerable  care,  and  with  considerable  effect ;  was  in  some  sort  inter- 
rupted by  the  noise  of  the  galleries.  Talfourd  came  into  my  room 
and  was  as  usual  delighted  with  the  performance ;  he  wished  us  to 
dine,  if  in  town,  en  famille  on  Sunday — and  on  going  away  hoped  I 
would  "promote  the  repetition  of  lon.^* 

^  This  was  derived  from  the  place  given  to  him  by  Government — ;^S<X>  per  annum — and 
the  interest  of  the  money  made  by  Fanny  Kemble  in  the  States. 


368 


1837 

January  2nd. — Acted  Lord  Hastings  very,  very  ill  indeed,  in  the 
worst  possible  taste  and  style.  I  really  am  ashamed  to  think  of  it ; 
the  audience  applauded,  but  I  deserve  some  reprobation.  I  have  no 
right  to  trifle  with  any,  the  least  important,  character;  whatever  is 
good  enough  to  play  is  good  enough  to  play  well,  and  I  could  have 
acted  this  character  very  well  if  I  had  prepared  myself  as  I  should 
have  done.  Without  study  I  can  do  nothing.  I  am  worse  than  a 
common  nightly  drudge. 

January  3rd. — Before  I  rose  thought  over  some  scenes  of  Brage- 
lone;  saw  Mr.  Brewster  and  arranged  my  coiffure  with  him.  Griffiths 
called  also  about  my  dress.  Went  to  theatre,  found  they  had  begun 
before  the  appointed  time.  Rehearsed  Bragelone ;  suggested  some 
improvements  in  the  arrangements  of  the  last  scene.  Tried  on  and 
settled  my  dress.  Bulwer  and  Forster  were  there ;  Bulwer  liked  what 
I  did,  but  authors  are  no  judges  of  the  performance  of  their  own  plays. 
The  rehearsal  was  not  over  till  past  four  o'clock.  Read  the  Times, 
which  highly-principled  paper  is  the  advocate  of  Mr.  Bunn.  Wrote 
to  Kenny,  requesting  him  to  withdraw  my  name  from  the  candidates' 
list  at  the  Athenaeum  Club. 

January  4t/i. — Sent  to  inquire  after  Mrs.  Fitzgerald — to  Brewster 
and  to  Thresher's.  Sent  also  my  note  to  Kenny,  requesting  him  to 
withdraw  my  name  from  the  Athenaeum  books.  I  feel  relieved  in 
having  done  so,  as  there  would  be  little  convenience,  great  expense,  and 
no  compliment  in  my  election,  and  my  rejection,  independently  of  the 
mortification  it  would  cause  me,  might  be  used  by  my  enemies  to  my 
disadvantage.  Received,  in  a  note  from  Forster,  an  invitation  to 
supper  from  Lady  Blessington.  Acted  Bragelone  well,  with  earnest- 
ness and  freshness ;  some  passages  were  deficient  in  polish.  Being 
called  for,  I  did  not  choose  to  go  on  without  Miss  Faucit,  whom  I  led 
forward.  The  applause  was  fervent,  but  there  had  been  considerable 
impatience  manifested  through  the  play,  which  did  not  end  until  eleven 

VOL.  I.  B  B  269 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1887 

o'clock.  I  fear  it  will  not  have  any  considerable  success.  Dow,  Fitz- 
gerald, Browning,  Talfourd  and  his  son  Frank,  C.  Duller,  came  into 
my  room ;  they  all  seemed  to  think  much  of  my  performance,  but 
otherwise  thought  the  play  much  under-acted.  It  was  shamefully 
performed.  Bulwer  came  in  when  they  had  gone,  and  in  the  most 
energetic  and  ardent  manner  thanked  me  for  my  performance,  and 
for  making  him  cut  out  the  first  scene  of  the  fifth  act,  which  I  had 
done.  Mr.  Standish  took  Forster  and  myself  to  Lady  Blessington's ; 
Count  D'Orsay  and  herself  received  me  most  warmly.  We  had  too 
rich  a  supper ;  our  talk  was  all  on  the  play.  Bulwer  did  not  seem 
happy — his  mind  was  "  away !  away !  "  Byng  and  Chorley  ^  were 
there.     Bulwer  drove  me 'home,  all  his  talk  was  La  Valliere. 

January  5th. — Sent  for  the  newspapers ;  they  were  all  in  a  faint 
tone,  except  the  Times,  which  was  maliciously  abusive.  A  very  kind 
note  of  thanks  for  my  performance  from  Fred.  Reynolds.  Forster 
called,  and  accompanied  me  to  the  theatre,  where  the  process  of  cut- 
ting was  in  act.  Bulwer  was  there ;  Forster  proposed  his  own  rearrange- 
ment, which  was  acceded  to.  Mr.  Farren  came  to  explain  to  me  that 
"  merely  to  oblige  the  theatre,  Mr.  Bulwer,  etc.,  he  had  undertaken 
Lauzun,  which  was  not  in  his  line  " ;  this  part,  and  only  this  the  man 
insisted  on  doing,  and  certainly  was  one  of  the  causes  of  the  play's 
ill-success.  Received  a  play  (oh !)  and  a  note,  full  of  admiration, 
from  a  Mrs.  Warton.  No  wonder  that  a  player  is  vain,  the  praise  he 
gets  is  so  immediately  to  his  face.  R.  Price  and  Talfourd  came. 
Very  absurdly  lost  a  guinea  in  a  wager  with  Dow  about  the  Times 
criticism — a  just  punishment,  but  one  I  cannot  with  propriety 
afford. 

January  6th. — Bulwer  and  Forster  called  about  my  note,  and  after 
talking  on  the  proposed  omission  of  the  third  act,  on  which  I  did  not 
feel  competent  to  speak  decisively,  they  left  me  to  urge  it  on  Mr. 
Osbaldiston.  I  agreed  that  it  was  a  desperate  experiment,  but  per- 
haps worth  making.  Acted  pretty  well.  I  thought  Miss  Faucit  was 
inclined  to  play  some  tricks  to  mar  my  effects,  but  it  did  not  much 
disconcert  me.  I  was  called  for,  and  went  on ;  as  far  as  I  could  judge, 
the  play  seemed  to  run  on  very  smoothly,  but  I  heard  that  there  was 
disapprobation  expressed  at  the  short  third  act — not  ten  minutes  long  I 
Bulwer,  full  of  delight  at  my  performance,  came  into  my  room  with 
Forster.     They  have  concocted  some  plan  for  a  new  scene  for  me — 

*  Heiuy  Fothergill  Chorley  (1808-1872) ;  a  well-known  musical  critic,  for  many  years  on 
the  staff  of  the  Athenaum. 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

to  which  I  decidedly  objected ;  indeed,  as  far  as  I  can  judge,  it  would 
destroy  the  character. 

January  '^th. — A  note  from  Bulwer  came  couched  in  the  strongest 
terms,  asking  as  "  a  personal  favour  "  that  I  would  act  the  scene  he 
had  written  and  sent  me.  I  did  not  stay  to  read  the  scene,  but  wrote 
back  by  his  servant  to  say  that  I  could  not  resist  the  impulse  of 
striving  to  show  my  appreciation  of  the  honour  he  had  done  me,  and 
that  I  would  do  it.  Forster  called,  and  I  explained  to  him  wherein  I 
thought  it  hazardous  and  impolitic,  but  he  seemed  to  regard  it  as 
another  desperate  stroke  to  retrieve  the  cast-down  nature  of  Bulwer 's 
fame.  I  felt  it  so,  and  did  not  repent  having  assented.  Note  from 
Count  D'Orsay — as  if  to  urge  me  to  do  it,  I  could  only  send  a  verbal 
answer.  My  domestic  affairs  occupied  me  much ;  I  left  directions  for 
Richard  and  went  to  the  theatre.  Bulwer  again  expressed  himself  most 
deeply  obliged  to  me ;  he  and  Forster  came  into  my  room. 

Elstree,  January  Sth. — Read  over — both  to  correct  and  to  study — 
the  introduced  scene  of  Bragelone.  There  is  nothing  in  it,  and  no 
play  can  derive  strength  from  a  scene  which  is  not  missed  when  omitted, 
and  which  does  not  contain  some  new  and  striking  effect  with  regard 
to  the  character.  I  think  this  has  no  power,  and  is  merely  to  make 
time ! — the  worst  motive  for  a  scene. 

January  9th. — Heard  the  children  go  through  part  of  their  lessons, 
and  was  delighted  with  their  progress.  Received  a  letter  from  Bulwer 
with  some  brief  alterations.  I  hope  he  does  not  flatter  himself  with 
too  sanguine  hope,  but  under  any  result  I  must  admire  the  indomitable 
resolution  that  struggles  to  the  last  against  defeat ;  it  deserves  to 
triumph.  Returned  to  the  new  scene  and  went  over  the  whole  part  of 
Bragelone — who  is  now  the  play. 

London,  January  10th. — Forster  called,  and  I  inquired  of  him  how 
far  I  was  right  in  the  alterations  I  had  made  in  the  scene.  He  smiled 
at  me,  which  decided  me  in  retaining  the  original  of  Bulwer — which 
was  very  feeble.  Went  to  theatre,  anxious  to  make  an  effort  with 
Bragelone,  but  did  not  act  the  part  to  satisfy  myself,  being  discon- 
certed by  the  inaudibility  of  Miss  Faucit,  who  was  ill,  and  the  nervous- 
ness I  endured  about  the  new  scene.  Was  called  for  by  the  audience, 
and  went  forward.  Bulwer  came  into  my  room,  and  was  in  very  good 
spirits.  I  did  not  myself  feel  the  play  to  go  so  well  as  he,  Messrs. 
Osbaldiston  and  Wallack  seemed  to  think  it  had  done ;  and  I  fear  the 
report  of  it  will  not  be  very  cordial.  Bulwer  took  Forster  and  myself 
in  his  cab  to  the  Albion,  Aldersgate  Street,  where  the  Garrick  Club 

BB2  371 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

gave  their  complimentary  dinner  to  C.  Kemble.  I  went  into  the 
room,  and  after  looking  at  the  several  tables  for  some  one  whom  I 
knew,  sat  on  a  vacant  chair  at  the  bottom  of  the  L.  Table — near  Mr. 
Blood  and  Captain  Williams.  I  was  beckoned  soon  to  the  cross-table 
and  taken  there  by  Captain  Williams  and  placed  between  Sir  G. 
Warrender  and  Standish.  Sir  G.  Warrender  introduced  me  to  the 
Chairman,  Lord  Francis  Egerton.  Mr.  Knowles  returned  thanks  for 
the   dramatic   authors   in   a   very   rambling   drunken  speech — it    was 

nothing,  and  a  little  worse.     Captain  W had  come  to  me  twice  or 

three  times,  to  ask  me  to  return  thanks  when  "The  stage  and  its 
professors  "  was  drunk.  I  declined,  but  saw  at  last  that  I  had  no 
power  of  retreat.  The  toast  was  given  by  Mr.  S.  Price,  in  rather  a 
confused  manner,  and  his  want  of  self-possession  restored  my  con- 
fidence. I  replied,  first,  to  him — in  reference  to  his  allusion  to  the 
American  stage — expressing  the  cordial  feeling  that  all  actors  felt 
towards  that  country  who  had  visited  it,  and  of  my  own  particular 
attachment  to  it ;  that  the  toast  which  had  been  given,  in  referring 
to  what  we  possessed,  made  us  more  strongly  feel  what  we  had  to 
deplore ;  that  the  sentiment  of  regret  was  universal  among  the  members 
of  the  profession  at  the  loss  of  our  guest,  and  that  none  was  more 
sorry  to  lose  his  companionship  than  myself,  when  I  reflected  how,  in 
"  many  a  well-fought  field,  we  had  kept  together  in  our  chivalry  "  ; 
that  I  was  only  expressing  the  general  feeling  of  the  professors  of  the 
art  in  congratulating  him  upon  and  lamenting  his  retirement,  and 
that  I  only  uttered  their  wishes  in  my  desire  for  every  joy,  every  good, 
that  the  remainder  of  his  life  could  give  him.  This  was  very  well 
received,  and  as  good  a  complimentary  effusion  as  I  could ,  hope  to 
make,  where  my  heart  was  not  interested  and  my  esteem  was  not  con- 
ciliated. Supped  on  oysters,  as  I  came  home  with  Forster.  I  forgot 
to  notice  Mr.  Yates's  speech,  which  was  in  the  worst  style  and  taste 
of  the  worst  green-room. 

January  11th. — A  note  from  Bulwer  with  the  altered  passage  of 
the  introduced  scene ;  informing  me  also  that  Mr.  Farren  had  written 
to  him  to  be  removed  from  the  part  of  Lauzun  ;  really  the  ignorant 
effrontery  of  this  empty  coxcomb  is  most  offensive. 

January  12th. — Forster  called  and  told  me  that  Osbaldiston  had 
written  to  Bulwer  on  the  ill-success  of  the  play,  wishing  to  modify 
the  terms  agreed  on — the  shabby  fellow !  Bulwer  behaved  like  himself 
— like  a  gentleman — in  a  high-minded  and  proper  manner. 

January  16th. — Lay  down  and  tried  to  think  of  Hamlet.  Acted 
372 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

the  character  pretty  well ;  the  effect  of  the  influenza  in  the  house 
obliged  me  to  pitch  my  voice  (for  the  sake  of  overmastering  the  coughs) 
in  an  unusually  high  key,  which  in  some  measure,  I  think,  interfered 
with  the  nicety  of  many  touches,  but  there  was  a  good  deal  of  earnest- 
ness in  the  performance.  The  play  was  disgracefully — disgustingly 
acted — Mrs.  W.  West,  Mr.  Thompson,  Mr.  G.  Bennett  are  really 
unfit  persons  to  place  in  important  characters  on  such  a  stage !  This 
does  not  justify  my  loss  of  temper^  which  I  have  again  to  bewail  and 
condemn ;  but,  indeed,  the  conduct  of  the  stage  is  most  disgraceful. 
I  was  called  for  after  the  performance,  and  very  warmly  received. 

January  Ylth. — After  dinner  read  over  the  part  of  Bragelone. 
Bulwer  has,  I  fear,  added  very  little  to  the  general  effect  of  the  play 
by  the  insertion  of  the  new  scene,  and  in  my  particular  case  he  has 
done  actual  mischief.  If  he  has  not  diminished  the  interest  by  lessen- 
ing the  probability  (which,  I  think,  he  has)  in  the  too  sudden  change 
of  Bragelone  from  the  warrior  to  the  monk — yet  he  has  so  flurried 
me,  so  thrown  me  off  my  centre  by  the  want  of  due  preparation  and 
proper  harmonizing  of  the  scene  with  the  rest  of  the  character,  and 
so  distresses  me  nightly  by  the  hurry  and  fret  into  which  I  am  thrown 
by  the  very  brief  allowance  of  time  for  my  metamorphosis,  that  I  am 
confident  he  would  have  acted  more  judiciously  in  leaving  the  play  as 
it  stood  on  the  third  night — or  of  restoring  some  other  person's  scene. 
Acted  Bragelone  as  well  as  I  could,  but  not  well.  I  am  spoiled  in  it 
by  Bulwer's  injudicious  amendments.  There  was  disapprobation  at 
the  end  of  the  play.  Bulwer  looked  into  my  room  for  a  minute  in  the 
middle  of  the  play. 

January  ISth. — Forster  inquired  of  me  if  I  were  willing  to  under- 
take an  edition  of  Shakspeare.  I  said  that  I  should  like  the  task, 
and  had  thought  of  it,  but  that  I  could  not  venture  on  the  attempt 
whilst  occupied  with  my  profession.  He  said  Moxon  ^  was  the  person 
who  wished  it,  and  that  he  would  speak  of  it  as  a  thing  for  my  hours 
of  retirement.  Met  Miss  Stephens,^  Miss  Johnson,  her  niece  and  her 
brother;  Miss  Stephens! — **  the  cynosure  of  neighbouring  eyes!" 
We  talked  very  cordially,  she  asking  me  why  I  did  not  sometimes  call 
as  I  passed,  and  observing  that  she  had  never  been  so  happy  as  when 

^  Edward  Moxon  (1801-1858) ;  one  of  the  most  enlightened  and  discriminating  publishers 
of  the  nineteenth  century ;  also  a  graceful  verse-writer.  Published  for  Landor  and 
Wordsworth  ;  also  for  Tennyson,  Browning,  Barry  Cornwall,  Patmore,  and  other  Victorian 
poets.     He  married  Iamb's  adopted  daughter,  Emma  Isola  (see  note,  p.  92). 

*  Catherine  Stephens  (i  794-1882)  ;  the  celebrated  ballad-singer,  also  a  considerable 
actress ;   retired  from  the  stage  in  1835,  and  married  the  fifth  Earl  of  Essex  in  1838. 

373 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

she  was  on  the  stage.  Ah,  me !  how  much  I  wish  I  had  her  means  of 
being  free  from  it.  Very  much  fatigued,  went  to  the  theatre;  took 
pains  and,  though  a  little  put  out  by  Miss  Faucit's  inopportune  coughs, 
acted  well. 

January  19th. — Mrs.  Fitzwaylett  called.  In  answer  to  my  in- 
quiries she  told  me  she  had  ten  shillings  per  week — six  children  and 
a  sick  husband ;  that  Lady  Byron, ^  who  had  found  her  in  such  a 
state  of  destitution  at  Rarasgate,  had  written  to  Mrs.  H.  Siddons  about 
her,  but  had  given  no  other  assistance  of  any  kind  whatsoever.  Is 
this  a  specimen  of  evangelical  charity?  I  told  her  I  would  do  what  I 
could,  giving  her  ten  shillings. 

January  2Srd. — Forster  called — among  other  things  mentioned 
that  Trelawney  ^  had  said  Mrs.  Butler  was  so  delighted  with  the  per- 
formance of  Bragelone  on  Friday  that  she  had  requested  her  father 
to  introduce  me  to  her,  which  he  had  promised  to  do.  In  what  way  I 
cannot  exactly  foresee.  Browning,  with  all  his  kind  heart,  called  and 
sat  a  few  minutes. 

Manchester,  February  6th. — Clarke  talked  much  of  Mr.  C.  Eean, 
giving  his  opinion  that  he  would  not  succeed  in  London,  that  he  did 
not  improve;  it  is  natural  to  ask  how  should  he.  He  observed  that 
he  was  arrogant  and  extravagant — lived  at  hotels  and  squandered  his 
money.  This  young  man  ought  to  have  started  into  wisdom  from 
the  sight  and  consequence  of  his  father's  follies  and  vices,  but  it  is  not 
improbable  that  he  has  been  spoiled.  It  is  very  hard  (qu.  is  it  pos- 
sible?) for  a  person  on  the  stage  to  preserve  a  well-regulated  mind. 
Called  on  Mrs.  Clarke,  who  is  in  the  same  house  with  me.  She  gave 
me  an  account  of  Mr.  C.  Mathews,  not  much  dissimilar  to  that  I  had 
just  heard  of  Mr.  C.  Kean.  Bitter  and  galling  hours  of  wounded  pride 
and  repentant  self-accusations  seem  to  be  laid  up  for  those  young  men. 
Read  a  few  pages  of  Goldoni.  Slept  a  little  and  looked  over  part  of 
Macbeth.  Acted  the  part  with  energy  and  discrimination — the 
audience  seemed  to  be  riveted  by  the  performance ;  they  were  loud  in 
their  calls  for  a  re-appearance,  and  very  enthusiastic  in  their  reception 

*  The  widow  of  the  poet ;  her  charity  as  a  rule  was  not  of  the  open-handed  order,  one 
of  the  many  characteristics  in  which  she  presented  a  marked  contrast  to  her  much-maligned 
husband.  The  more  that  is  known  of  Lady  Byron  the  less  cause  is  there  for  surprise  that 
her  marriage  resulted  as  it  did.  Not  content  with  helping  to  wreck  Byron's  life,  she  spared 
no  pains  to  brand  his  memory  with  infamy  after  he  had  been  nearly  half  a  century  in  the 
grave  ;  but  time,  however  tardily,  has  now  done  justice  to  them  both. 

■  Presumably  Edward  John  Trelawney  ( 1 792-1881),  well  known  as  the  friend  of  Byron 
and  Shelley. 

374 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

of  me,  when  I  went  on  the  stage.  I  was  exceedingly  distressed  by 
extreme  weakness,  and  my  cough.  I  endeavoured  to  get  through  the 
play  without  the  assistance  of  wine,  but  was  compelled  to  have  recourse 
to  a  small  quantity.  Was  very,  very  much  fatigued,  and  I  thought 
to  myself — surely  this  is  earning  bread  by  the  brow's  sweat. 

February  10th. — Going  to  the  theatre  in  the  rain,  I  expected  but 
an  indifferent  house;  was  most  agreeably  surprised  when  I  went  on 
the  stage  to  see  a  very  well-filled  theatre ;  was  very  anxious  to  act  well, 
and  did  as  well  as  the  drawbacks  of  the  inefficient  representatives  of 
the  other  characters  would  let  me.  I  was  gratified  to  see  the  play  of 
Ion  go  so  well.  I  was  called  for  and  very  warmly  received  at  the  end 
of  the  play.  The  actors  here,  who  are  very  bad,  and  very  conceited, 
wish  to  show  me  their  low  estimation  of  me  by  an  absence  of  all 
courtesy.  They  are  welcome  to  do  so.  Condy  came  into  my  room, 
to  express  his  surprise  and  pleasure  at  the  effect  of  the  play.  Miss 
Faucit  asked  me  to  write  in  her  album,  which  I  did — some  lines  from 
Metastasio.    The  house  was  excellent,  thank  God ! 

February  25th. — At  my  lodgings  read  with  great  interest  the  con- 
clusion of  the  debate  on  the  Irish  Municipal  Bill,  with  Sheil's  splendid 
speech.  Let  those  who  think  little  of  the  advantages  of  labour  look 
at  the  result  of  that  man's  application.  Like  Demosthenes,  he  was 
hissed  at  the  Catholic  Association  when  in  its  infant  state,  and  is  now 
the  most  eloquent  man  in  the  Imperial  Parliament.^  On  one  occasion 
that  he  was  hissed,  he  extorted  the  applause  of  his  assailants  by 
observing  to  them  :  "You  may  hiss,  but  you  cannot  sting!  " 

February  26th. — Colonel  D'Aguilar  seemed  to  think  that  Lord 
Mulgrave  was  much  more  a  man  of  pleasure  than  of  business.  He  is 
a  man  of  some  talent,  but  I  begin  to  suspect  it  is  not  of  great  depth 
or  extent.^ 

*  Lord  Chief  Justice  Bushe  thus  described  Sheil's  oratory :  "  His  mind  is  one  of  the 
richest  in  poetry  and  eloquence  I  ever  knew.  For  the  purpose  of  producing  an  effect  upon 
a  popular  audience  in  Ireland  I  consider  him  as  standing  in  the  very  first  rank.  He  seems 
to  me  to  have  high  powers  for  didactic  poetry.  The  rich  poetical  invectives  with  which  his 
speeches  abound,  if  versified,  would  be  fine  satirical  poems."  In  1837  Sheil  probably 
deserved  Macready's  description,  though  in  Stanley,  Macaulay  and  Whittle  Harvey  (see 
note,  p.  223)  with,  in  the  Upper  House,  Grey,  Lyndhurst  and  Brougham,  he  had  by  no  means 
inconsiderable  competitors. 

*  Macready's  judgment  of  Lord  Mulgrave  (afterwards  Lord  Normanby)  was  on  the  whole 
correct.  He  was  no  statesman,  in  the  higher  sense  of  the  term,  and  far  from  successful  as 
a  diplomatist.  Having  held  various  Cabinet  offices,  besides  serving  as  Irish  viceroy  and 
ambassador  at  Paris,  he  ended  his  public  career  in  the  second-rate  position  of  Minister  at 
Florence,  where  his  diplomatic  achievements  were  less  notable  than  his  wife's  entertain- 
ments.    She  had  a  pretty  wit,  and  one  of  her  mots  is  still  quoted  in  Florence  with  lively 

375 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

March  1st. — Calcraft  called,  under  the  annoyance  of  having  been 
refused  a  '"command"  by  Lord  Mulgrave.  For  a  professed  patron 
of  the  art,  who,  as  such,  is  President  of  the  Garrick  Club,  and  besides 
takes  pleasure  in  private  theatricals,  to  refuse  his  patronage  to  a 
leading  artist,  and  that  upon  the  request  of  a  person  like  Calcraft,  who 
explained  to  him  the  necessity  of  the  case,  and  its  importance  to  him 
— especially  as  he  "  dragooned  "  him  (to  quote  Calcraft 's  expression) 

into  the  Italian's  engagement,  which  has  cost  C above  £700 — to 

refuse  his  name  under  such  circumstances  was  neither  good-natured 
nor  liberal.  I  think  it  directly  the  reverse.  Calcraft  asked  me  if  I 
had  received  an  invitation  from  the  Castle,  and  expressed  his  surprise 
that  I  had  not.  I  do  not  expect  one,  nor  do  I  wish  one.  If  I  were 
in  fashion  I  should  be  sought.     These  things  do  not  reach  me. 

March  2nd. — Spoke  with  Calcraft  about  the  future  plays,  and  he, 
of  course,  recurred  to  the  ill-natured  refusal  of  Lord  Mulgrave.  I  am 
not  sorry  to  see  these  traits,  which  at  once  display  a  man's  character. 
Mulgrave  is  good-tempered,  but  particularly  selfish  and  very  vain, 
which  renders  any  services  he  may  confer  on  others  indulgences  of  his 
own  self-love,  and  not  benevolences ;  he  is  a  man  of  the  world,  in  its 
most  sordid  acceptation,  and  a  man  likely  to  be  very  popular  with  those 
who  see  little  of  him — his  manners  are  most  agreeable. 

March  Srd. — From  time  to  time — and  sometimes  for  hours  to- 
gether— my  heart  has  been  racked  with  the  torture  I  have  endured 
in  recalling  the  calumnious  misstatements,  the  slanderous  misrepre- 
sentations, and  base  insinuations  of  that  unprincipled  man,  Thesiger, 
in  his  charges  against  me  in  the  trial ;  my  determination  to  retaliate 
upon  him  a  palpable  disgrace,  though  sometimes  it  has  relaxed  before 
the  arguments  of  religion  and  reason,  has  always  been  resumed  and 
has  become  fixed  in  my  mind.  I  now  see  that  if  I  longer  allow  such 
thoughts  and  feelings  place,  I  must  abandon  the  hope  and  intention 
of  purifying  my  mind — I  cannot  make  a  bargain  (for  such  would  be 
the  gross  and  impious  fact)  for  the  indulgence  of  a  particular  sin  with 
God — or  my  conscience — for  it  is  the  same  thing.  It  cost  me  some 
very  severe  struggles  to  resolve  to  submit  to  the  opprobrium  cast  upon 
me,  and  leave  to  time  to  give  that  contradiction  to  my  calumniator, 
which  he  ought  to  receive,  and  to  repose  upon  the  clearness  of  my 
own  conscience.     But  I  have  done  it — I  have  relinquished  my  inten- 

appreciation.  The  Brownings  with  their  child  were  then  resident  there,  and  on  one  occasion 
when  Lady  Normanby  only  expected  Browning,  he  appeared  accompanied  by  his  wife 
and  son.  "  Not  one  incomprehensible  but  three  incomprehensibles !  "  she  murmured 
protestingly  to  a  friend,  as  she  advanced  to  greet  the  trio. 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

tions.  I  have  expelled  all  passionate  feeling  on  the  subject.  I  have 
resolved  never  again  to  permit  the  idea  to  remain  in  my  thoughts — I 
thank  God.  I  am  already  much  happier  for  it.  Prayed  to  God  to 
confirm  me  in  my  good  resolves,  and  rose  with  a  lighter  heart  than 
I  have  felt  these  many  days.  Went  to  dine  at  Colonel  D'Aguilar's; 
met  Major  Hankey,  the  principal  amateur  performer  here,  Sir  Charles 
and  Lady  Morgan  and  her  niece,  Miss  Clarke,  Miss  Hopkins,  and 
Frank  Sheridan.  The  conversation  was  lively  and  diversified.  Colonel 
D'Aguilar  mentioned  an  anecdote  of  Sir  Sidney  Smith, ^  in  instance 
of  his  great  but  harmless  egotism.  Having  minutely  narrated  the 
circumstances  of  his  escape  from  the  Temple,  and  upon  Colonel 
D'Aguilar's  expression  of  his  gratification  at  the  great  interest  of  the 
relation,  he  significantly  put  the  question  :  "  Did  you  ever  hear  me 
tell  it  in  French?"  "No,"  replied  D'Aguilar.  -'Then  I'll  tell  it 
you ;  "  which  he  did,  fact  for  fact,  only  varying  the  language. 

March  4f/i. — Read  the  newspaper,  and  was  pleased  to  see  that  bad 
man,  that  priest  of  Moloch  and  of  Mammon — not  of  Jesus  Christ — 
the  Bishop  of  Exeter,^  so  held  up  to  the  just  indignation  of  the  House 
and  the  country  by  Lord  Plunkett.^ 

March  6th. — Calcraft  mentioned  to  me  a  fact  that  brings  out  Mr. 
Sheridan  Knowles's  character  more  strongly,  as  it  relates  to  another 
than  myself.     After  civilities  and  avoiding  the  question  whilst  here, 

of  payment  for  his  plays,  he  sent  him  (C )  an  attorney's  letter  in 

London  and  would  have  arrested  him  for  £52 — charging  five  guineas 
per  night  for  the  Wife,  which  never  brought  expenses — had  not  his 
solicitor  had  more  consideration  and  mercy  than  himself.  This  is 
Mr.  Sheridan  Knowles.     Shame  on  him  ! 

March  1th. — Saw  W ,  the  publisher,  at  the  theatre.     Calcraft 

told  me  that  this  man,   who  has  just  been  declared  insolvent,   has  a 

^  Sir  William  Sidney  Smith  (1764- 1840),  the  well-known  admiral  whose  egotism  was 
scarcely  less  conspicuous  than  his  gallantry.  He  was  an  intimate  friend  of  Queen  Ciroline, 
when  Princess  of  Wales,  an  association  which  at  one  time  threatened  to  involve  him  in 
serious  con<;equences. 

*  Henry  Phillpotts  ( 1778- 1 869) ;  for  nearly  forty  years  Bishop  of  Exeter,  in  which 
diocese  his  disciplinary  methods  earned  him  considerable  unpopularity.  Earlier  in  his 
career  he  took  an  active  part  in  political  literature,  vigorously  championing  Lord  Liverpool's 
Government ;  and  it  was  Copley's  unacknowledged  piracy  from  one  of  his  pamphlets  that 
provoked  Canning's  felicitous  quotation  :  "  Dear  Tom,  this  brown  jug  that  now  foams  with 
mild  ale,  out  of  which  I  now  drink  to  sweet  Nan  of  the  Vale  was  once  Toby  Philpot" — a 
sally  that  left  Copley,  for  once  in  his  life,  completely  discomfited. 

^  William  Conyngham  Plunket  (1764-1854) ;  the  distinguished  orator  and  advocate,  at 
that  time  Lord  Chancellor  of  Ireland. 

377 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1887 

house  in  Bagot  Street,  which  with  its  furniture  is  worth  at  least 
£3000 — that  he  says  he  has  completely  settled  with  his  creditors,  which 
means  that  he  has  obtained  the  power  to  pay  them  five  shillings  in 
the  pound  in  two  years,  which  he  will  never  do,  and  that  in  the  mean- 
time he  retains  this  house,  etc.,  by  means  of  some  fraudulent  assign- 
ment, while  God  knows  how  his  creditors  may  be  pinched  for  means. 
The  robberies  I  have  endured  and  by  which  I  have  been  impoverished 
in  this  way,  make  me  feel  indignant  at  the  use,  or  rather  profanation 
of  the  term  honesty  and  honour  in  society.  Who  is  honest  ?  I  know 
very,  very,  very  few,  for  whose  honesty  or  honour  I  would  vouch. 
Lay  down  to  rest,  and  think  of  Othello.  Thought  also  of  making 
some  arrangement  with  Calcraft  about  cancelling  next  week — where 
is  the  money  to  pay  me  ?  It  is  very  hard — very  hard  on  me — that  the 
harvest  of  my  year  is  thus  lost  to  me ;  but  I  must  try  to  make  the 
best  of  what  is  bad,  and  "  not  for  that,  bate  I  one  jot  of  heart  or 
hope.'*  Acted  Othello  in  my  very  best  manner,  and  quite  carried 
away  the  audience  and  the  actors.  There  was  a  long  call  for  me  at 
the  close  of  the  play,  but  I  declined  going  forward. 

March  8th. — Calcraft  showed  me  a  list  of  the  receipts,  which  have 
averaged  £37  something  per  night — my  terms  being  £29  per  night ; 
this  is  frightful — though  Mrs.  Jordan  took  £50  per  night  from  my 
father  for  a  fortnight,  never  playing  once  to  that  sum,  and  Kean 
arrested  him  in  a  most  wanton  and  expensive  manner  for  the  residue 
of  a  sum  left  unpaid  on  an  engagement  in  which  he  received  for  three 
nights  £150 — when  the  total  receipts  did  not  amount  to  £130 !  ! — and 
this  man  was  called  generous.  So  is  Mr.  Sheridan  Knowles !  Where 
is  truth  to  be  found?  Offered  to  give  up  £82 — with  the  next  week's 
engagement,  which  Calcraft  was  too  happy  to  accept.  He  wished  to 
try  the  Tuesday  night,  but  that  was  left  dependent  on  circumstances. 
I  strongly  urged  him  to  go  to  the  levee,  but  he  would  not ;  he  is 
wrong.     I  am  indifferent  to  Lord  Mulgrave,  but  he  should  be  ready 

to  seize  opportunity.     Sir  called,   and  after  sitting  some  time 

asked  me  if  I  could  promote  his  views  in  bringing  on  the  stage  the 
woman  who  lives  with  him ! !  She  had  made  an  essay  (and,  from  his 
account,  manifestly  a  failure)  at  Edinburgh.  I  showed  him  as  much, 
and  he  said  he  would  abandon  the  idea. 

March  9th. — Called  on  Calcraft.  He  spoke  again  about  Lord 
Mulgrave's  pointed  neglect  of  me,  at  which  I  laughed  a  good  deal, 
and  requested  him  not,  as  he  talked  of  doing,  to  speak  about  it.  There 
is  nothing  to  speak  about.     Lord  Mulgrave  has  not  invited  me — he 


JAMES    SHERIDAN    KNOWLES 

From  an  (ii(/raving  by  Fimltn  of  a  drav-'oKj  by  T.    ]f'a;ien 


1887]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

has  invited  others  whom  he  thinks  more  worthy,  or  agreeable — what 
then?  Was  very  anxious  to  act  well,  but  could  not — the  fault,  I 
suppose,  was  in  myself,  but  surely  it  was  aggravated  by  the  offensiveness 
of  the  persons  set  about  me,  Mr.  Cathcart,  Miss  Rankley — act  Ion 
with  such  utterly  disagreeable  people,  I  could  not.  It  was  a  bad 
performance.  Read  the  newspaper — another  three  acts  of  Strafford — 
clever,  but . 

March  11th. — Employed  half-an-hour,  that  was  otherwise  un- 
occupied, in  packing ;  and  then  went  to  a  rehearsal  of  the  play  and 
farce  for  the  evening.  I  found  it  impossible  to  be  myself  in  juxta- 
position with  this  Miss  Rankley ;  such  an  antidote  to  sympathetic 
emotions  I  never  met  before.  Agreed  with  Calcraft  on  the  mode  of 
settling  the  amount  due ;  having  remitted  £82  and  lost  by  illness  £58, 
and  having  received  .£20,  there  is  due  £420.  He  engages  to  give 
me  £120  cash,  and  bills  within  two  months  for  the  remaining  £300, 
"which,"  he  says,  "shall  be  paid,"  and  that  he  will  not  behave  as 
Mr.  Bunn  did  to  me.  I  have  lost  my  faith  in  men,  except  those 
whom  I  know,  and  therefore  when  these  bills  are  paid  I  shall  be  glad 
to  bear  testimony  to  Mr.  Calcraft's  punctuality.  I  have  behaved  to 
him,  I  conceive,  in  a  kind  and  considerate  manner — as  I  ought  to 
any  man;  I  hope  I  have  acted  rightly.  Mrs.  Calcraft  came  into  the 
room,  but  with  so  cold  and  distant  an  air  that  an  observer  would  have 
suspected  I  had  been  subtracting  £82  from  her  husband's  effects, 
instead  of  resigning  so  much !  Read  over  Bragelone.  Acted  it — 
tolerably  well — not — not  myself  in  Bragelone — but  tolerably  well  and 
in  some  parts  very  effective.  There  was  disapprobation  at  the  end — 
the  result  is  no  catastrophe,     Bulwer  has  made  a  great  mistake  in 

that  particular.     But  certainly  Miss  R was  the  d !     Acted 

the  tragedy  scene  of  Puff  in  the  Critic  very  well  for  the  last  time 
that  I  ever  will  appear  in  that  part — it  is  infra  dig.  During  this 
engagement  I  have  never  once  been  before  the  curtain  at  the  end  of 
the  play ;  this  is  curious,  taken  in  connection  with  its  general 
ill-success. 

To  Liverpool,  March  12t/i. — Colonel  D'Aguilar  called  and  ex- 
pressed himself  delighted  with  Bulwer's  play,  and  charged  me  to  tell 
Bulwer  as  much.  Calcraft  adverted  to  the  Lord  I^ieutenant's  passing 
me  over  without  any  notice  or  invitation,  which  I  did  not  wish  him 
to  do.  D'Aguilar  said  that  he  was  talking  a  long  time  with  him  a 
few  days  before  about  me,  and  that  he  had  said  he  "  must  have  me 
to  dinner."     So  that  it  is  perhaps  a  mere  matter  of  indifference  and 

379 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

not  of  purposed  slight  on  his  part — c'est  Sgal.  It  does  not  touch  me- 
Calcraft  observed  tliat  I  had  not  dined  with  him  during  ray  stay.  I 
recalled  to  him  that  he  had  been  twice  in  London  for  long  periods 
and  had  never  come  to  our  house,  and  that  I  kept  away  from  his 
designedly.  He  seemed  rather  relieved  in  thinking  that  was  the  sole 
cause.  I  did  not  choose  to  tell  him — it  was  not  my  business — that  I 
had  met  him  arm-in-arm  with  Mr.  Bunn  shortly  after  he  had  been 
struck  by  me. 

Elstree,  March  ISth. — Received  a  note  from  Forster,  appointing 
Monday  for  the  visit  of  himself  and  Browning  about  Strafford.  I  answered 
him,  assenting  to  his  proposal.  Walked  out  with  the  children  through 
Aldenham  Park  and  the  wood.  Read  before  dinner  a  few  pages  of 
Paracelsus,  which  raises  my  wonder  the  more  I  read  it.  Sat  with  the 
children,  narrating  stories  to  them.  Looked  over  two  plays,  Petronius 
and  Bertrand,  which  it  was  not  possible  to  read,  hardly  as  I  tried. 
They  are  utter  trash,  and  it  is  really  trying  to  one's  patience  to  lose 
so  much  time  over  such  worthless,  hopeless  stuflE;  I  cannot  longer 
afford  the  time.  Read  some  scenes  in  Strafford,  which  restore  one  to 
the  world  of  sense  and  feeling  once  again. 

March  19th. — Read  Strafford  in  the  evening,  which  I  fear  is  too 
historical ;  it  is  the  policy  of  the  man,  and  its  consequence  upon  him, 
not  the  heart,  temper,  feelings,  that  work  on  this  policy,  which 
Browning  has  portrayed — and  how  admirably. 

March  ^Oth. — Forster  and  Browning  arrived — cheerful  evening — 
though  more  of  the  conversation  turned  on  Dow  than  I  could  have 
wished.  Browning  related  an  amusing  story  of  his  application  to  him 
for  an  epitaph  on  his  father — to  which,  when  Browning  had  promised 
it,  he  added  his  mother,  her  sister,  and  an  infant  two  years  old ;  and 
subsequently,  on  receiving  the  report  of  the  marble-mason  of  Barnsley, 
wished  two  more  lines  to  be  added  to  the  complete  epitaph  as  the  stone 
would  hold  two  more!  Forster  read  the  counsel's  speech  in  the 
Pickwick  Papers. 

March  21st. — Browning  came  with  me  into  the  study,  and  with 
much  interruption  over  the  discussion  of  points  and  passages,  we  read 
through  his  tragedy  of  Strafford ;  I  must  confess  my  disappointment  at 
the  management  of  the  story — I  doubt  its  interest.  Walked  out  with 
Browning  round  the  reservoir.  After  dinner  Browning  and  myself 
resumed  our  conversation  about  Strafford,  and  I  resolved — seeing  no 
other  course — to  read  it  again  to-night — after  tea  I  did  so,  but  I  am 
by  no  means  sanguine,  I  lament  to  say,  on  its  success. 
380 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

March  22nd. — Resumed  with  Browning  the  conversation  of  last 
night  on  Strafford;  showed  the  necessity — as  far  as  Mr.  Osbaldiston 
was  concerned — of  his  direct  declaration,  yes  or  no,  as  to  his  ability 
to  give  the  finished  play  on  Saturday.  After  some  deliberation  he 
decided  in  the  negative,  and  preferred  withholding  the  play  till  my 
Benefit.  He  seemed  to  think  much  of  the  objections  and  suggestions 
I  had  offered.  He  left  us.  Looked  over  the  play  of  the  Death  of 
Socrates  by  a  person  signing  himself  "Nemo."  If  he  is  not  deranged, 
he  is  the  most  enormous  ass  I  have  yet  encountered.  Would  any  one 
believe  that  a  person  could  introduce  Socrates — addressing  Plato — 

"I  will  instruct  you — come  along,  my  beauty  !  " 
And  his  disciples  thus — 

"Come  along,  my  sheeps- trotters  !  " 
Another  specimen  of  this  mad  piece  of  nonsense  is  the  entrance  of 
Marsyas,  the  Satyr,  running — 

Marsyas :  "I  see  them  a-galloping  I 
I  see  them  a-galloping ! 
I  see  them  a-galloping 

And  all  within  the  air ! 
And  Calliope  a-walloping 
And  Calliope  a-walloping 
And  Calliope  a-walloping 

The  sides  of  the  mare  I " 

In  another  play  the  same  author  makes  one  of  his  characters  say, 
"  Let  those  who  need  eggs,  lay  them !  "  This  heap  of  nonsense  is 
called  Fadeorowna.  Looked  over  some  Pickwick  Papers  as  a  digestive 
after  an  early  dinner. 

March  28rd. — Wrote  to  Forster,  on  his  intended  removal  to  the 
Albany,  which  I  am  certain  will  bring  down  upon  him  all  the  fatal 
consequences  of  extravagance  and  rashness.  I  sincerely  regard  him, 
and  hope  he  will  consent  to  be  persuaded.  Sat  with  my  children,  and 
heard  their  prayers.  Wrote  to  Browning  on  a  thought  that  had 
struck  me  for  the  last  scene  of  his  tragedy. 

March  25th. — On  coming  downstairs  I  gave  my  attention  to  the 
remainder  of  the  heap  of  MS.  that  awaited  my  examination.  Looked 
over  Pandolfo  —  trash  1  Corsair  —  do.  Robert  the  Bruce  —  id. 
Recluse — better.  Lass  of  Hawthomdene — ohlie  Hieland — trash. 
Marriage  a-la-mode — trash.  Read  over  verbatim  Mr.  Solly's  play, 
Gonzaga  di  Capponi — in  which  there  is  some  talent — and  by  that 
cleared  off  my  debt  of  MSS. 

381 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

March  28th. — Called  on  Forster,  who  talked  about  Browning's 
play — read  in  his  chambers  the  account  of  the  murder  of  Hannah 
Brown  by  Greenacre/  How  much  worse  is  man  than  the  brute,  when 
he  descends  to  crime.  The  beast  injures,  only  to  gratify  his  pinched 
appetite,  or  upon  the  necessity  of  self-defence.  Man  is  wanton  in  his 
cruelty,  and  the  slave  of  no  impulse — he  reasons  as  he  destroys.  Each 
new  occurrence  of  this  sort  only  makes  more  difficult  of  solution  the 
enigma  of  our  being.  Othello.  Sent  private  box,  with  a  hasty  note, 
to  Miss  Martineau.  A  youth  called  to  know  if  I  taught  elocution, 
and  on  my  information  he  went  off  very  abruptly.  Dow  called  and 
did  not  remain  very  long.  Used  the  little  time  left  me  by  these 
ill-timed  visitors  in  reading  part  of  Othello — for  which  I  was  totally 
unprepared.  Went  to  the  theatre  and  resolved  to  do  my  best ;  my 
reception  encouraged  me,  and  I  made  the  best  I  could  of  my  raw  and 
uncertain  notion.  I  spoke  the  address  to  the  Senate  particularly  well ; 
thought  of  an  improvement  in  its  conclusion,  and  also  another  in 
cashiering  Cassio.  I  made  the  best  effort  in  my  power  under  the 
circumstances,  but  it  was  a  crude,  unpolished  performance;  the 
audience  persisted  in  calling  for  me,  and  I  went  on  at  last.  Captain 
Polhill  came  into  my  room  and  delayed  me  very  long,  talking  of  his 
alteration  of  CEdipus,  to  the  amusement  of  Forster,  Browning,  and 
Dow,  who  were  in  the  room.  O'Hanlon  also  called.  Browning  and 
Forster  walked  to  chambers  with  me,  and  we  sat  discussing  the  plot 
of  Strafford  until  two  o'clock. 

March  29th. — Browning  called  and  brought  me  the  play  of 
Strafford;  he  looked  very  unwell,  jaded  and  thought-sick.  Forster 
called  while  he  was  here.  Browning  left  me  the  MS.  I  began  the 
perusal  of  Strafford,  but  was  interrupted  by  the  visit  of  Mr.  Solly, 
who  detained  me  some  time  ''n  conversation  about  his  play ;  he  left  me 
very  gratefully.  Went  through  the  alterations  of  Strafford,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  the  theatre,  where  I  saw  Mr.  Osbaldiston — spoke  with  him 
on  Strafford,  appointed  eleven  to-morrow  to  read  it  to  him,  and 
mentioned  the  private  box  I  had  last  night.  Forster  had  talked  to 
me  about  the  subscription  of  Kemble's  plate,  and  urged  the  policy — 
*'to  still  the  murmuring  lips  of  discontent" — of  compromising  with 
my  conscience  and  putting  my  name  to  the  list ;  it  sickens  me  to  do 
it,  but  my  dear  children  make  me  more  dependent  on  opinion  than  I 
would    be    without    these   dear   little   hostages.     I    inquired    for   the 

^  James  Greenacre  (1785-1837) ;  he  murdered  Hannah  Brown,  who  was  about  to  become 
his  fifth  wife,  under  circumstances  which  secured  to  him  perpetuation  at  Madame  Tussaud's. 
382 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

treasurer  to  pay  in  my  money — the  least  sum  I  could  with  propriety 
give.  Wrote  to  Browning,  at  Forster's  request,  mentioning  my 
opinion  of  the  play.  Read  over  attentively,  noting  down  my 
objections,  the  play  of  Strafford;  it  consumed  much  time. 

March  SOth. — I  went  to  the  theatre  soon  afterwards  and  read  to 
Mr.  Osbaldiston  the  play  of  Strafford;  he  caught  at  it  with  avidity, 
agreed  to  produce  it  without  delay  on  his  part,  and  to  give  the  author 
£12  per  night  for  twenty-five  nights,  and  £10  per  night  for  ten  nights 
beyond.  He  also  promised  to  offer  Mr.  Elton  an  engagement  to 
strengthen  the  play.  Browning  and  Forster  came  in ;  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  narrating  what  had  passed  between  Mr.  Osbaldiston  and 
myself,  and  of  making  Browning  very  happy ;  I  went  over  the 
memoranda  I  had  made  of  corrigenda  in  his  MS. ;  the  suggestion  of 
the  children's  voices  being  heard  in  the  pause  following  the  announce- 
ment of  Strafford's  death  he  was  quite  enraptured  with ;  he  took 
the  book  and  promised  to  work  hard.  Forster  is  trying  to  induce  the 
Longmans  to  publish  it ;  I  doubt  his  success.  Browning  asked  me  if 
I  would  allow  him  to  dedicate  the  play  to  me.  I  told  him,  of  course, 
how  much  I  should  value  such  an  honour,  which  I  had  not  anticipated 
or  looked  for. 

March  Slst. — Called  at  the  theatre  and  proceeded  to  the  box  office, 
paid  in  (more  reluctantly,  I  think,  than  I  ever  paid  money  in  my 
life)  a  cheque  for  <£2  2s.  to  the  subscription  for  plate  to  Mr.  C.  Kemble. 
This  is  the  consequence  of  my  own  inexperience  and  indiscretion. 
Had  I,  by  a  proper  care  of  my  money,  and  a  watchful  attention  to  my 
temper,  secured  my  independence  and  incurred  no  suspicion  or  blame 
from  those  who  dislike  or  envy  me — I  might  have  followed  the  dictates 
of  my  own  conscience  and  have  refused  this  compromise  of  principle, 
which  it  is,  and  of  which  I  actually  feel  ashamed.  A  man — really  of 
no  consideration  in  his  art — a  mere  actor,  and  not  a  very  good  one,  of 
second  and  third  rate  parts — a  dishonest,  deceitful,  selfish,  base-minded, 
degraded  man !  !  I  and  to  avoid  the  chance  of  any  addition  to  my 
enemies  (Mr.  Harness,  for  example ! !  !)  I  am  forced  to  assist  in  a 
compliment  to  this  paltry  fellow.  It  really  disgusts  and  makes  me 
ashamed  of  myself.  It  is  too  bad.  Utterly  ignorant  of  the  learned 
languages  and  with  merely  a  smattering  of  some  living  ones,  he  calls 
himself  a  scholar ! — beaten  by  Mr.  Harris  and  most  contemptuously 
insulted  by  myself,  he  proclaims  himself  a  man  of  honour !  Guilty  of 
a  fraud  and  a  falsehood  to  conceal  it  during  his  management,  he 
asserts  himself  a  gentleman !     This  perhaps  he  has  a  right  himself 

383 


THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

to  do,  but  what  is  to  be  said  of  those  who  support  him  in  these  claims  ? 
Honour  and  worth  have  no  business  in  this  world,  or  in  that  part  of 
it  which  believes  and  calls  itself  the  whole.  I  am  sick  of  it.  Heard 
that  Forrest  had  quarrelled  with  the  wretch  Bunn,  and  raised  his  hand 
over  his  head  to  strike  him.  Looked  over  King  Richard  and  Othello. 
Acted  Othello — in  parts — a  few  parts — extremely  well,  but  very,  very 
unequally.  Mr.  VandenhoflE  was  disposed  to  play  a  dirty  trick,  but 
was  frightened  from  proceeding  with  it  by  my  look  and  gesture. 
Another  of  them  !  ! 

Elstree,  April  9,nd. — Read  over  King  Richard,  in  which  character 
I  do  not  feel  confidence  of  success.  I  know,  I  think,  how  it  should 
be  acted,  but  I  am  not  sufficiently  at  home  in  the  execution.  Nothing 
but  great  presence  of  mind  can  sustain  me.  And  I  pray  to  God  that 
I  may  be  true  to  myself,  and  support  my  reputation  by  the  effort. 
Amen  I 

London,  April  3rd. — Looked  and  thought  over  my  character.  I 
dared  not  send  the  order  I  had  written,  with  a  note,  to  H.  Smith, 
nor  a  private  box  to  Miss  Martineau,  so  uncertain  did  I  feel  of  myself. 
I  became  more  self-possessed  when  I  rose,  and  much  more  collected 
and  resolved  to  do  my  best  when  I  was  preparing  for  the  play  at  the 
theatre.  By  the  time  the  play  began  I  felt  secure  that  I  would  not 
discredit  myself.  I  acted  King  Richard  III  with  much  energy,  and 
seemed  to  carry  my  audience  with  me ;  the  house  was  not  good — it 
might  be  called  middling,  but  the  audience  appeared  to  have  been 
brought  solely  by  the  play — indeed,  there  was  nothing  else.  I  was 
called  for,  and  obliged  to  go  on  afterwards.  Browning,  Forster,  Dow, 
Wallace  (with  Bryden)  came  into  my  room.  Browning  and  Forster 
accompanied  me  to  my  chambers,  drank  a  bottle  of  champagne  which 
I  found  for  them,  and  read  the  two  last  acts  of  Strafford,  discussing 
the  alterations  in  it.  Browning  left  them  with  me,  and  took  notes 
of  what  was  yet  to  do.  They  left  me  a  little  after  three,  and  I  got 
to  bed  about  four !  I  Forster  informed  me  that  Lords  F.  Egerton, 
W.  Lennox,  and  Allen  had  been  drawn  out  of  the  Committee  of  the 
Garrick  Club,  and  that  Talfourd,  Stanfield  and  myself  had  been  elected 
in  their  places — Mr.  S.  Price  opposing  Stanfield  and  self  with  a  list — 
*'  Zachary,  Bredel,  Bartley  " — which  was  scouted. 

April  4t/i. — Looked  in  the  Times  for  the  chance  of  some  notice 
of  my  performance  of  King  Richard,  but  I  might  have  reposed  on 
my  experience;  there  was  nothing.  Browning  called  in  with  altera- 
tions, etc. ;  sat  and  talked  whilst  I  dined.     A  young  gentleman  came 

384 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

in,  who  spoke  with  a  foreign  accent,  and,  on  speaking  to  him  in  French, 
he  rephed  in  the  same  language,  telling  me  he  was  a  Greek — that  he 
was  an  enthusiastic  lover  of  the  drama,  and  such  an  admirer  of  mine 
that  he  called  to  request  my  autograph  in  his  album.  I  introduced 
Browning  to  him  as  a  great  tragic  poet,  and  he  added  his  name.  The 
youth  told  us  that  he  was  setting  off  for  Athens  directly.  He  was  an 
interesting,  lively  person.  Forster  called ;  they  sat  late,  talking  much 
about  Dow's  extraordinary  request  to  attend  the  reading  of  the  new 
tragedy,  which  they  resolved  he  should  not  do.  Read  a  little  of  Ion 
after  they  left  me,  but  I  was  too  much  fatigued  to  do  any  good. 
Acted  Ion  very,  very  languidly  and  ineffectively.  Read  over  three 
copied  acts  of  Strafford. 

April  5th. — After  thinking  in  bed  of  the  want  of  connection  in 
the  scenes  of  Browning's  play,  and  also  thinking  on  the  necessity  of 
continuing  my  study  of  my  art — going  over  the  fourth  act  scene  of 
King  John — I  rose  and  sent  for  Forster ;  explained  to  him  the  dangerous 
state  of  the  play,  and  the  importance  it  was  of  to  remedy  this  defect. 
We  sat  down  to  work — he  first  mentioning  an  attack  on  him  in  the 
Times,  through  a  piece  of  trash  by  that  very  wretched  creature,  Mr. 
Poole,  and  also  showing  me  a  notice  of  my  Richard  in  the  True  Sun. 
We  went  over  the  play  of  Strafford,  altered,  omitted,  and  made  up  one 
new  scene ;  we  were  occupied  from  eleven  till  four  o'clock ;  the  day 
entirely  surrendered  to  it.  Went  to  the  theatre  to  procure  the  two 
last  acts  of  the  play.  Warren  called ;  I  did  not  let  him  in,  and  could 
not  recollect  his  name — was  obliged  to  say  "  Madame  "  in  speaking 
of  his  wife.  Sent  a  note  to  Catherine.  Began  Forster's  life  of 
Strafford.  Acted  King  John  very  well — to  a  most  wretched  house,  but 
I  felt  the  advantage  of  taking  pains.  I  must  study  more.  Forster  and 
Dow  called  with  the  MS.  of  Strafford.  Read  and  marked  to  read,  etc., 
the  four  acts  they  left  us. 

April  1th. — Mr.  Pritchard  came  to  me  with  a  statement  about 
Mr.  Webster  threatening  to  assault  him,  and  a  parcel  of  nonsense 
about  publishing,  from  which  I  endeavoured  to  dissuade  him.  Forster 
and  Browning  both  came  to  my  room — Browning  with  some  of  the 
passages  to  be  supplied — very  feebly  written.  Forster  and  he  had 
rather  a  warm  altercation — Browning,  as  I  understood  him,  asserting 
that  no  change  had  been  made  in  the  conduct  of  the  play  since  its 
first  draught,  which  was  not,  in  my  mind,  correct. 

April  Sth. — Browning  called,  whom  I  accompanied  to  the  theatre. 
Read  over  Strafford  to  the  persons  in  the  green-room,  but  did  not 

VOL.  I.  c  c  385 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1887 

produce  the  impression  I  had  hoped — it  dragged  its  slow  length  along. 
Read  Strafford  to  Catherine  and  Letitia,  and  I  lament  to  say  they 
were  oppressed  by  a  want  of  action  and  lightness;  /  fear  it  will 
not  do. 

Elstree,  April  9th. — Dined  with  Fred.  Reynolds,  arriving  about 
an  hour  after  the  hour  he  had  named.  Met  the  two  Bulwers,  Henry  ^ 
and  Edward,  General  Palmer  ^ — a  Dundas — and  Bernal  ^ ;  spent  rather 
an  agreeable  day.  Bulwer  took  me  to  chambers  in  his  cab,  mentioning 
his  conviction  that  he  could  write  a  play  with  the  experience  he  had 
gained. 

London,  April  11th. — The  first  intelligence  of  this  day  was  enough 
in  itself  to  make  it  an  unfortunate  one.  A  letter  from  Mr.  Calcraft, 
asking  me  to  renew  his  first  bill  due  on  Friday  next.  In  truth,  I  expect 
that  I  shall  lose  all  this  money  due  to  me  from  Mr.  Calcraft,  as  I 
have  done  with  Mr.  Bunn.  It  is  very  hard,  and  I  do  not  think  it 
strictly  honest  to  make  an  engagement  which  he  would  have  enforced 
to  the  uttermost  farthing  against  me,  unless  he  had  the  means  of 
strictly  observing  his  part  of  it.  I  am  much  distressed  and  not  a  little 
disgusted.  Forster  came  to  breakfast;  after  which  we  read  through 
the  play  of  Strafford.  Forster  evidently  felt  all  the  objections  that  I 
had  stated — was  obliged  to  acknowledge  the  feebleness  and  heaviness 
of  the  play. 

April  12th. — Forster  called ;  I  gave  him  the  MS.  of  Strafford, 
which  I  had  cut,  and  went  to  the  rehearsal  of  Julius  Caesar.  Knowles 
accosted  me  as  if  he  had  been  my  best  friend  and  in  the  habit  of 
doing  me  all  manner  of  kind  ofiices.  I  have  done  my  last  to  him ;  he 
is  utterly  worthless — and  yet  what  a  man  I  I  looked  at  him  with 
admiration  and  pity  this  morning,  as  I  thought  on  his  powers  and  his 
misuse  of  them.  Spoke  to  Osbaldiston  about  Strafford,  and,  having 
been  anxious  to  find  some  of  the  actors  restive  about  their  parts,  to 

•  The  diplomatist,  afterwards  Lord  Bailing. 

•  Charles  Palmer  (1777-1851);  major-general,  and  proprietor  of  the  Bath  theatre. 
Formerly  in  the  lOth  Hussars.  Gronow  tells  a  curious  story  about  a  speculation  of  his  in 
some  vineyards,  the  claret  from  which  (a  lighter  wine  than  that  then  in  vogue)  he  introduced  to 
the  Prince  Regent,  who  though  himself  favourably  impressed,  was  malevolently  prejudiced 
against  it  by  Lord  Yarmouth  (afterwards  the  "  Steyne"  and  "  Monmouth  "  Lord  Hertford). 
Palmer  in  consequence  expended  large  sums  in  endeavouring  to  improve  his  vines,  but 
without  success,  and  became  thereby  involved  in  heavy  losses  which  permanently 
impoverished  him. 

•  Either  Ralph  Bernal,  M.P.  for  Rochester,  and  Chairman  of  Committees  (well  known 
as  an  art  connoisseur),  or  his  son,  Ralph  Bernal  Osborne  (then  about  twenty-nine),  the 
caustic  politician  of  a  later  period. 

386 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

furnish  Browning  with  a  decent  excuse  to  withdraw  the  play,  was  dis- 
appointed at  their  general  acquiescence.  Forster  called,  and  went 
twice  over  the  play  of  Strafford — approving  of  all  the  omissions  and 
expressing  himself  much  raised  in  hope  by  the  alterations.  He  thought 
my  view  of  the  work  quite  a  clear  one,  and  in  the  most  earnest  spirit 
of  devotion  set  off  to  find  and  communicate  with  Browning  on  the 
subject — a  fearful  rencontre.  Talfourd,  Browning,  Forster,  Dow  and 
Mr.  George  Stephens  ^  came  into  my  room ;  at  his  own  request  I  intro- 
duced the  latter  to  Talfourd.  Called  at  Forster 's  chambers,  whence 
Browning  and  he  came  to  mine.  There  were  mutual  complaints — 
much  temper — suUenness,  I  should  say,  on  the  part  of  Forster,  who 
was  very  much  out  of  humour  with  Browning,  who  said  and  did  all 
that  man  could  do  to  expiate  any  offence  he  might  have  given.  Forster 
(who  has  behaved  most  nobly  all  through  the  matter  of  this  play — no 
expression  of  praise  is  too  high)  showed  an  absence  of  sense  and 
generosity  in  his  behaviour  which  I  grieved  to  see.  There  was  a  scene. 
Browning  afterwards  told  me  how  much  injury  he  did  himself  in  society 
by  this  temper,  corroborating  what  Talfourd  had  just  before  said  of 
my  poor  friend  Forster's  unpopularity.  I  was  truly  sorry  to 
hear  from  Browning  much  that  rendered  his  unpopularity  scarcely 
doubtful.  Browning  assented  to  all  the  proposed  alterations,  and 
expressed  his  wish,  that  coUte  que  coiite,  the  hazard  should  be  made, 
and  the  play  proceeded  with.  Bulwer  would  scarcely  have  done 
this,  and  in  playing  the  great  game  he  has  before  him  he  should 
regard  this  as  a  trivial  offence,  and  so  dismiss  it.  He  left  me  at  a 
late  hour. 

April  14ith. — Calling  at  Forster's,  met  Browning,  who  came  upstairs 
and  who  produced  some  scraps  of  paper  with  hints  and  unconnected 
lines — the  full  amount  of  his  labour  upon  the  alterations  agreed  on. 
It  was  too  bad  to  trifle  in  this  way,  but  it  was  useless  to  complain ;  he 
had  wasted  his  time  in  striving  to  improve  the  fourth  act  scene,  which 
was  ejected  from  his  play  as  impracticable  for  any  good  result.  We 
went  all  over  the  play  again  ( I)  very  carefully,  and  he  resolved  to 
bring  the  amendments  suggested  by  eleven  o'clock  this  evening.  Met 
Browning  at  the  gate  of  my  chambers ;  he  came  upstairs  and,  after 
some  subjects  of  general  interest,  proceeded  to  that  of  his  tragedy. 
He  had  done  nothing  to  it ;  had  been  oppressed  and  incapable  of 
carrying  his  intentions  into  action.     He  wished  to  withdraiv  it.     I 

*  Geoi^e  Stephens  (1800-1851);  a  fertile  dramatist  of  that  day,  whose  plays  were  only 
moderately  successful. 

CC2  387 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

cautioned  him  against  any  precipitate  step — warned  him  of  the  con- 
sequences, and  at  last  got  him  to  offer  to  go  and  bring  Forster,  whom 
I  wished  to  be  a  party  to  all  this  business.  He  came  with  Browning, 
and  we  turned  over  all  the  pros  and  cons — for  acting  or  not  acting 
the  play.  They  both  decided  on  its  performance,  Browning  to  have 
more  time  than  he  had  asked  for  the  completion  of  his  alterations. 
It  was  fixed  to  be  done.  Heaven  speed  us  all !  I  thank  God  I  felt 
quite  satisfied  with  my  conduct  throughout  this  delicate  affair  of 
Browning. 

April  15th, — Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre,  where  I  spoke  to 
the  copyist  about  Strafford.  We  were  obliged  to  make  arrangements 
— very  tardy  in  their  effects — subservient  to  the  parsimonious  regula- 
tions of  Mr.  Osbaldiston.  Went  to  dine  at  the  Garrick  Club,  saw 
two  or  three  persons  with  whom  I  have  a  slight  acquaintance,  but  not 
to  speak  to  them.  Was  disgusted  by  a  most  filthy  and  offensive  speech 
made  by  a  man  whose  name  I  do  not  know  whilst  I  was  dining ;  it  is  a 
horrid  club!  In  low  spirits  I  dressed  and  went  to  Miss  Martineau's 
party,  where  I  knew — was  acquainted  with  no  one;  was  introduced  to 
a  Mrs.  Gaskell,^  and  a  Mrs.  Reade — a  very  pretty  Boston  girl — U.S. — 
and  to  Hallam.  Rogers,  Mrs.  Butler,  and  Harness  were  there,  and 
many  distinguis  whom  I  did  not  know.  Harness  came  into  the  study, 
where  I  was,  and  retreated  as  if  he  had  trod  upon  a  serpent;  it  was 
curious ;  if  that  man  has  not  wronged  me,  his  bearing  and  behaviour 
are  inexplicable.  I  was  not  comfortable ;  I  came  away  in  an  unsatis- 
factory state  of  mind,  and  sat  for  a  long  while  brooding  on  my  own 
uncomfortable  feelings.  I  am  quite  a  stranger  in  society  I  I  fear  I 
must  be  a  disagreeable  companion,  or  my  acquaintance  would  be  more 
sought.  I  feel  as  if  people  left  me  with  the  notion  that  there  is 
nothing  in  me;  there  is  not  much;  there  is  certainly  a  want  of  the 
necessary  power  to  express  those  thoughts  which  pass  through  my 
mind,  so  as  to  impress  my  listeners  with  a  favourable  opinion  of  my 
understanding ;  and  what  there  is,  is  scarcely  communicable.  My 
mind  is  chiefly  employed  in  self-discipline  and  weak  endeavours  to  make 
itself  better. 

April  18th. — In  thinking  this  morning  upon  my  own  advancement 
in  public  opinion,  and  its  many  disadvantages  and  impediments,  the 
truth  passed  convincingly  on  my  mind,  that  no  labour  is  thrown  away ; 
PATIENCE — that  great  virtue,  that  true  philosophy,  that  alleviation 
of  all  toil  and  care — and  industry  are  sure  of  their  reward  :  it  is  the 

^  Probably  Elizabeth  Cleghom  Gaskell  (1810-1865);  the  distinguished  novelist. 
388 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

impatience  of  obscurity,  the  immature  anxiety  for  reward  and 
distinction  in  such  men  as  Disraeli,  junior,^  that  makes  empirics. 

April  ^Oth. — After  dinner  read  over  StraQord,  which  I  strongly 
fear  will  jail — it  is  not  good. 

April  21st. — Miss  Faucit  said  to  me  that  her  part  in  Browning's 
play  was  very  bad,  and  that  she  did  not  know  if  she  should  do  it. 
She  wanted  me  to  ask  her  to  do  it.  But  I  would  not,  for  I  wish  she 
would  refuse  it,  that  even  at  this  late  point  of  time  the  play  might 
be  withdrawn — it  tioill  do  no  one  good.  Forster  and  Talfourd  came 
into  my  room.  Mr.  Fitzball  also  asked  me  if  I  would  play  lago  to 
Mr.  Forrest  in  Othello,  to  which  I  gave  an  unqualified  refusal. 
"Would  I  refuse  to  play  with  him?  " — to  which  I  answered,  "Bt/  no 
means,  but  I  must  play  my  own  parts. ^^ 

April  22nd. — Browning  came  to  breakfast,  very  pale,  and  appar- 
ently suffering  from  over-excitement.  I  think  it  is  unfortunate  that 
without  due  consideration  and  time  for  arranging  and  digesting  his 
thoughts  on  a  work  so  difficult  as  a  tragedy,  he  should  have  committed 
himself  to  the  production  of  one.  I  should  be  too  glad  of  any  accident 
that  would  impede  its  representation,  and  give  me  a  fair  occasion  for 
withdrawing  it ;  but  this  I  cannot  now  do  without  incurring  the  sus- 
picion of  selfishness  and  of  injustice  to  him,  and  therefore,  though  I 
feel  convinced  that  the  performance  of  this  play  on  my  Benefit  night 
will  cause  much  dissatisfaction — will  in  some  measure  compromise  my 
judgment,  and  injure  my  future  benefits — yet  still,  coUte  que  coUte, 
Browning  shall  not  have  the  power  of  saying  that  I  have  acted  otherwise 
than  as  a  true  friend  to  his  feelings. 

Elstree,  April  23rd. — Took  up  the  part  of  Strafford,  at  which  I 
continued,  having  looked  over  the  newspaper  at  breakfast,  during  the 
entire  morning  to  dinner-time.  The  more  I  consider  the  play  the 
lower  my  hopes  smile  upon  it ;  I  expect  it  will  be  damned — grievously 
hissed  at  the  end — from  the  unintelligibility  of  the  motives,  the  want 
of  action,  and  consequently  of  interest.  Looked  at  Browning's  altera- 
tions of  the  last  scene  of  Strafford — found  them  quite  bad — mere  feeble 
rant — neither  power,  nor  nature,  nor  healthful  fancy — very  unworthy 
of  Browning.  I  felt  certainly  convinced  that  the  play  must  be  utterly 
condemned. 

^  Disraeli  had  already  made  a  reputation  as  a  novelist,  and  in  July  of  this  year  (1837)  he 
first  entered  Parliament  as  M.P.  for  Maidstone  ;  in  December  he  delivered  the  memorable 
maiden  speech  which  many  believed  would  extinguish  him  as  a  politician.  His  methods  in 
pushing  his  fortunes  were  at  this  time  not  over-fastidious,  and  Macready  was  not  singular  in 
regarding  him  as  an  aspiring  adventurer  with  a  genius  for  self-advertisement. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1887 

Londotit  April  26th. — Thought  in  my  bed  some  time  on  Strafford 
— ^how  I  could  make  the  most  of  every  line.  I  am  deeply  anxious, 
though  despairing,  for  Browning's  sake,  and  shall  not  lose  effect  from 
not  labouring  for  it.  Told  Forster  my  conviction  about  the  fate  of  the 
play,  which  I  look  upon,  despite  all  that  can  be  done,  as  inevitable. 
Forster  related  to  me  the  substance  of  Browning's  preface  and 
dedication,^  which  appear  very  good. 

April  21th. — Went  to  the  rehearsal  of  Strafford  (after  a  hasty 
breakfast  and  a  glance  at  the  newspaper),  with  which  I  took  much 
pains  and  the  general  effect  of  which  I  improved  considerably.  Called 
on  Forster  with  Browning.  Browning  amused  me  much  by  his  con- 
fidence in  the  success  of  the  play ;  he  looked  at  the  acting  and  move- 
ment of  a  subject  in  which  he  had  a  deep  interest — ensure  that  same 
interest  in  the  audience,  and  I  will  ensure  its  success — but  the  question 
is  :  will  the  audience  be  kindled  to  such  an  interest  ?  I  grieve  to  think 
that  my  experience  will  not  allow  me  to  say  yes.  Gave  the  evening 
to  the  perusal  and  study  of  Strafford. 

April  9,8th. — Thought  over  some  scenes  of  Strafford  before  I  rose, 
and  went  out  very  soon  to  the  rehearsal  of  it.  There  is  no  chance  in 
my  opinion  for  the  play  but  in  the  acting,  which  by  possibility  might 
carry  it  to  the  end  without  disapprobation ;  but  that  the  curtain  can 
fall  without  considerable  opposition,  I  cannot  venture  to  anticipate 
under  the  most  advantageous  circumstances.  In  all  the  historical 
plays  of  Shakspeare,  the  great  poet  has  only  introduced  such  events 
as  act  on  the  individuals  concerned,  and  of  which  they  are  themselves 
a  part ;  the  persons  are  all  in  direct  relation  to  each  other,  and  the 
facts  are  present  to  the  audience.  But  in  Browning's  play  we  have  a 
long  scene  of  passion — upon  what?  A  plan  destroyed,  by  whom  or 
for  what  we  know  not,  and  a  parliament  dissolved,  which  merely  seems 
to  inconvenience  Strafford  in  his  arrangements.  There  is  a  sad  want 
of  judgment  and  tact  in  the  whole  composition.  Would  it  were  over! 
It  must  fail — and  it  grieves  me  to  think  that  /  am  so  placed.  Brown- 
ing will  efface  its  memory  by  the  production  of  Sordello ;  but  it  will 
strike  me  hard,  I  fear.  God  grant  that  it  may  not  be  a  heavy  blow. 
Called  at  the  box-office  for  a  private  box  for  Miss  Martineau.  Forster 
introduced  me  to  young  Mr.  Longman  there,  who  consulted  with  me 

^  The   dedication,   dated    April    23,   1837,     runs    as    follows   in  Browning's    Collected 
Poems — 

"Dedicated,  in  all  Affectionate  Admiration, 

TO 

WILLIAM   C.   MACREADY." 


UOBKFIT    BROWNING 

From  a)(  enr/rariiui  by  G.  Coolf  of  a  ]>ni»tii>f)  by  Field  Taljounl 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

upon  the  publication,  and  yielded  to  my  reasons  for  delaying  it  until 
Monday  afternoon.  Sent  Miss  Martineau  her  box  with  a  note.  The 
friend  of  the  young  man,  who,  I  find,  was  dissuaded  by  me  from  his 
foolish  desire  of  going  on  the  stage,  called  for  some  tickets.  I  did 
not  like  to  give  them ;  they  seemed  to  me  the  price  of  an  act  of  duty. 
I  sent  him  to  the  box-office.  Forster  called  here  idly.  I  thought 
over  Browning's  play  when  he  had  gone ;  I  am  confirmed  in  my  opinion 
of  its  ill-success.  Mr.  Knowles  came  into  my  room  to  ask  me  to  play 
St.  Pierre  in  his  play  of  the  Wife  for  his  Benefit !  !  I — a  piece  of 
effrontery,  which  is  really  disgusting.  A  man  steeped  in  ingratitude 
for  t7Z-requited  kindnesses  to  have  the  impudence  to  ask  such  a  favour 
of  me!  I  refused  him.  Talfourd  came  into  my  room  for  a  few 
minutes ;  I  went  into  Mrs.  Talfourd's  box  to  speak  to  her.  I  thought 
her  not  quite  so  free  as  usual,  and  having  the  appearance  of  tending 
towards — assumption.  Perhaps  if  I  were  elevated  in  life  I  should  be 
the  same — and  yet  I  know  no  person  to  whom  I  have  felt  kindness 
that  I  have  since  disregarded  because  I  had  grown  richer  or  more 
valued. 

April  29th. — Brewster  called  with  my  wig  for  Strafford.  Went 
to  the  theatre  and  rehearsed  Strafford,  which  I  am  disposed  to  think 
might  pass  muster — not  more — if  it  were  equally  and  respectably 
acted,  but  Mr.  Dale  in  the  King  must  ensure  its  utter  failure. 
Browning  was  incensed  at  Mr.  Dale's  unhappy  attempts — it  is  too  had. 
A  year  ago  I  was  hurried  into  the  intemperate  and  frenzied  act  of 
striking  that  most  unworthy  and  disgusting  wretch,  Mx.  Bunn.  My 
sufferings  from  compunction  have  been  very  great,  not  perhaps  more 
than  my  folly  has  deserved ;  but  I  pray  to  God  that  I  may  never  again 
so  far  forget  what  is  due  to  His  laws,  to  myself,  and  to  society. 

Elstree,  April  20th. — Called  on  Forster,  who  gave  me  a  ludicrous 
account  of  the  silliness  of  Dow  about  this  play  of  Strafford,  which  he 
thinks  so  very  fine,  and  that  it  is  to  be  so  greatly  successful.  Again 
I  repeat  my  conviction  that  it  must  fail — if,  by  some  happy  chance, 
not  at  once  to-morrow,  yet  still  at  best  it  will  only  stagger  out  a 
lingering  existence  of  a  few  nights  and  then  die  out — and  for  ever. 
It  is  dedicated  to  me  most  kindly  by  Browning.  Dow  still  clings  to 
the  chance  of  my  presence  at  his  party — which  I  have  never  intended. 
Read  over  Strafford — which  I  pray  God  may  far  exceed  my  hopes  of 
its  success,  and  send  Browning  and  myself  home  in  happiness  to-morrow 
night. 

London,  May  1st. — Called  at  the  box-office  about  the  boxes  and 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

places  for  which  I  had  been  applied  to.  Rehearsed  Strafford.  Was 
gratified  with  the  extreme  delight  Browning  testified  at  the  rehearsal 
of  my  part,  which  he  said  was  to  him  a  full  recompense  for  having 
written  the  play,  inasmuch  as  he  had  seen  his  utmost  hopes  of  character 
perfectly  embodied.  He  was  quite  in  raptures,  I  warning  him  that 
I  did  not  anticipate  success.  Parted  with  Browning  with  wishes  of 
good  fortune  to  him.  Read  Strafford  in  bed,  and  acted  it  as  well  as 
I  could  under  the  nervous  sensations  that  I  experienced.  Edward  and 
Henry  Bulwer,  Fitzgerald,  Talfourd,  Forster,  Dow,  Browning  (who 
brought  his  father  to  shake  hands  with  me),  and  Jerdan  came  into  my 
room.  Went  back  to  chambers,  whence  I  proceeded  with  Catherine 
to  Elstree.     Arrived  there  about  half-past  one. 

May  2nd. — Looked  at  newspapers,  which  I  was  gratified  to  find 
lenient  and  even  kind  to  Browning.  On  myself — the  "  brutal  and 
ruffianly "  journal  observed  that  I  '*  acquitted  myself  exceedingly 
well."  Sent  a  note  to  Mason,  accepting  his  invitation  to  dinner. 
Called  on  Forster — with  whom  I  found  Browning.  I  told  him  the  play 
was  a  grand  escape,  and  that  he  ought  to  regard  it  only  as  such,  a 
mere  step  to  that  fame  which  his  talents  must  procure  him. 

May  Mh. — Looked  at  newspapers ;  read  a  criticism  on  Strafford  in 
the  Morning  Herald — it  extolled  the  play  as  the  "best  that  had  been 
produced  for  many  years,"  and  abused  me  for  "pantings — a-a-s,  etc." 
which  the  writer  supposed  "it  was  too  late  to  cure."  This  attempt 
to  fasten  upon  my  acting  a  general  censure  for  a  vice  that  was  only 
detectable  in  one  unstudied  character  is  made  by  Mr.  Conan,  who  has 
quarrelled  with  Forster. 

May  1th. — Looked  at  the  Examiner^  and  thought  that  Forster  had 
given  a  very  kind  and  judicious  criticism  on  Strafford.  Wilkin  arrived 
on  business ;  I  endeavoured  to  induce  him  to  vote  for  Leader  against 
that  very  unworthy — that  false  and  vain  man — Burdett.  He  would 
only  engage  not  to  vote  for  Burdett — another  proof  of  the  necessity 
for  the  ballot.  A  letter  from  Ransom  acknowledging  £118  7s.  8d., 
the  proceeds  of  my  Benefit.  Answered  the  invitation,  or  rather 
solicitation,  of  the  Covent  Garden  Theatre  Fund  Committee — a  set  of 
persons  who  heg  for  their  own  annuities  and  ask  the  persons  to  whom 
they  apply  to  condescend  to  answer  them !  Is  it  to  be  wondered  at  if 
players  are  despised  ? 

London,  May  9th. — Called  on  Forster,  who  informed  me  how  much 
he  had  been  hurt  by  Browning's  expressions  of  discontent  at  his 
criticism,  which  I  myself  think  only  too  indulgent  for  such  a  play  as 

392 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Strafford.  After  all  that  has  been  done  for  Browning  with  the  painful 
apprehension  of  failure  before  us,  it  is  not  pleasing  to  read  in  his  note, 
"  Let  .  .  .  write  any  future  tragedies  "  !  Now,  really,  this  is  too  bad — 
without  great  assistance  his  tragedy  could  never  have  been  put  in  a 
condition  to  be  proposed  for  representation — without  great  assistance 
it  never  could  have  been  put  upon  the  stage — nor  without  great  assist- 
ance could  it  ever  have  been  carried  through  its  "  perilous  "  experi- 
ment.^ It  is  very  unreasonable  and  indeed  ungrateful  in  him  to  write 
thus. 

May  12th. — Note  from  Bulwer  inviting  me  to  dine  on  Sunday  week. 
Called  on  Forster.  Acted  Ion  but  in  a  middling  style.  Mr.  Dale,  as 
Adrastus,  was  indeed  too  bad.  Talfourd  came  into  my  room — I  invited 
him  to  dine  at  Edward's  christening  on  the  24th,  and  we  settled  finally 
for  the  25th.  The  indifference  with  which  the  audience  received  the 
substitution  of  Mr.  Dale  for  Mr.  Vandenhoff  this  evening  ought  to 
impress  on  my  mind  the  conviction  of  how  little  importance  our  art  is 
to  the  community — how  easily  the  best  specimens  (not  meaning  Mr. 
Vandenhoff  to  be  included  among  them)  can  be  dispensed  with — and 
of  what  consequence  to  us  it  is  rightly  to  appreciate  our  value. 

May  ISth. — Mr.  Gass,  junior,^  called  with  specimen  of  silver  plate 
— I  chose  a  salver  value  £50  for  Talfourd.  Went  to  the  rehearsal  of 
scenes  of  King  Henry  VIII ;  thence  to  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw 
the  newspapers  and  attended  the  Committee,  where  was  debated  the 
mode  of  meeting  the  attack  intended  to  be  made  upon  us  by  a  set  of 
resolutions  proposed  by  Mr.  S.  Price  and  his  clique.  Hayward  was 
there  and  asked  me  if  my  Benefit  was  not  next  Saturday.  This  was 
either  affectation  or  only  strange  ignorance  of  what  was  proceeding ; 
if  the  first,  my  good-humour  made  it  recoil  on  himself.  At  chambers 
saw  the  Literary  Gazette  on  Miss  Martineau ;  Jerdan  is  not  a  man  of 
sufficient  intelligence,  extent  of  view,  probity  or  philanthropy  enough 
to  estimate  such  a  work — his  notice  is  in  my  mind  a  disgrace  to  him- 
self. He  does  not  understand,  nor  can  he  feel  the  truth  contained  in 
the  book.  Went  in  the  evening  to  Miss  Martineau 's ;  knew  no  one, 
but  passed  a  cheerful  evening. 

May  15th. — I  endeavoured  to  act  Cardinal  Wolsey  well,  but  the 
clamours  of  the  gallery  were  so  great  in  the  last  scene  that  I  could  not 

1  Whatever  the  literary  merit  of  Strafford,  it  is  quite  certain  that  Macready  did  not 
exaggerate  its  shortcomings  as  an  acting  play  ;  and,  considering  how  little  Browning  was 
known  at  that  time,  to  produce  it  at  all  needed  no  ordinary  amount  of  enterprise  and  courage. 

^  Still  an  honoured  house  among  West  End  jewellers,  being  one  of  the  very  few  firms 
of  that  day  still  carrying  on  business  under  the  same  name. 

393 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1887 

play  them  down.  Forster,  Browning,  Dow,  Cattermole — whom  I 
engaged  to  go  to  the  Club  on  Saturday — and  Fitzgerald  came  into  my 
room.  I  went  with  Forster  in  a  cab  to  Fonblanque's.  On  our  way 
he  acquainted  me  with  the  particulars  of  a  row — which  Fitzgerald  ^  had 
spoken  of — that  he  (Fitzgerald)  had  had  with  a  hackney  coachman,  in 
which  he  had  given  and  received  a  severe  beating,  and  finally  had  to 
pay  £S0  for  the  rascal's  insolence  and  his  own  want  of  self-command. 
At  Fonblanque's,  whom  I  invited  to  Elstree,  I  saw  Begrez,  who  is 
passS;  Lady  Stepney,  who  is  a  very  dull  and  empty  person — a  mindless 
beauty,  striving  to  keep  up  an  appearance  over  her  years,  that  grow 
too  fast  upon  her ;  Doctor  Lardner,  who  had  brought  his  sister,  a 
kind  act,  but  I  question  its  discretion ;  she  could  not  have  been  com- 
fortable ;  he  must  have  been  and  was  very  much  the  contrary ;  she  is 
strange  to  society  and  never  likely  to  become  familiarized  with  its 
usages ;  Bulwer,  D'Orsay,  and  Miss  Roberts  with  her  embroidered 
shawl.     Went  home  in  carriage  with  Catherine. 

May  18th, — Acted  Posthumus  in  a  most  discreditable  manner, 
undigested,  unstudied.  Oh,  it  was  most  culpable  to  hazard  so  my 
reputation !  I  was  ashamed  of  myself ;  I  trust  I  shall  never  so  commit 
myself  again.  The  audience  applauded,  but  they  knew  not  what  they 
did;  they  called  for  me  with  Miss  Faucit.  I  refused  to  go  on,  until 
I  found  it  necessary  to  go  in  order  to  hand  on  the  lady.  They  then 
called  for  Mr.  Elton,  who  had  been  very  had  in  the  play — and  he  went 
on.  They  called  for  Thompson,  who  did  not.  Browning — who  walked 
home  with  me  and  again  evinced  an  irritable  impatience  about  the 
reproduction  of  Strafford — Dow,  and  Talfourd  came  into  my  room. 
Talfourd  had  come  from  the  House,  where  he  had  been  making  a 
speech  on  his  Copyright  Bill ;  his  manner  seems  to  me  changed  or 
changing.  I  thought  he  displayed  much  affectation,  and  I  am  really 
not  disposed  to  look  for  failings  in  him.  I  am  very  glad  I  have 
prepared  this  present  for  him. 

May  19th. — Acted  Wolsey,  at  which  I  had  not  one  moment  to 
look,  but  in  a  mediocre  style,  and  what  I  might  have  done  was  im- 
paired, if  not  destroyed,  by  the  shamefully  imperfect  and  inaccurate 
manner  in  which  the  play  was  done — it  was  worse  than  in  a  country 
theatre. 

May  Wth. — Went  to  the  rehearsal  of  Winter^s  Tale;  in  the 
interval  of  the  third  and  fifth  acts  went  to  the  Garrick  Club  and  dined, 
looking  at  the  papers.     Saw  Fladgate,  Williams,  etc.     At  the  con- 

^  Not  the  poet. 

394 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

elusion  of  the  rehearsal  returned  to  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  met  the 
Committee ;  was  introduced  to  Mr.  Barney — very  quiet  man — con- 
gratulated Mr.  Broadwood  on  his  election  for  Bridgwater — which  I 
wish  he  had  lost.  The  General  Meeting  of  the  Club  took  place,  at 
which  a  cat's-paw  of  Mr.  Price's  moved  some  resolutions  reflecting  on 
the  Committee.  Mr.  Barham  ^  put  the  question  on  its  actual  merits, 
and  threw  the  Committee  upon  the  judgment  of  the  members,  who  were 
very  numerous.  Mr.  C.  Dance  disclaimed  all  personal  feeling  or 
objection  individually  to  the  Committee,  but  wished  a  more  democratic 
delegation.  Mr.  Price,  the  dolt  fabricator  Epeus,  merely  objected  to 
the  indifferent  accommodation  of  the  coffee-room ;  he  afterwards  recom- 
mended the  mover  to  withdraw  his  motion,  which  the  meeting  would 
not  allow.  He  (Mr.  Price)  was  white  with  rage  or  shame,  and  the 
Duke  of  Beaufort,  who  was  in  the  chair,  took  the  sense  of  the  meeting ; 
the  Committee  urged  a  division,  and  the  malcontents  were  left  with 
seventeen — chiefly  Mr.  Price's  clique — to  seventy-four.  A  more  pitiful 
figure  (undeserving,  however,  of  pity)  than  Mr.  Price  made  I  have 
rarely  seen.  Mr.  Planche  was  importantly  absurd.  Planche  and 
Jerdan  accepted  my  invitation  on  the  spot.  Acted  Brutus  tolerably 
well,  Mr.  Vandenhoff  being  the  Cassius  of  the  evening,  vice  Mr.  Ward 
announced,  but  arrested.  Webster  ^  told  me  he  had  taken  the  Hay- 
market,  and  proposed  an  engagement  to  me,  settling  to  call  on  me  in 
the  morning.  Went  to  Warren's,^  where  I  found  Catherine,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Austin,  Sir  Howard  and  Lady  Elphinstone,*  Major  Anstruther, 
Etty,'  with  whom  I  was  delighted  to  renew  my  acquaintance. 

May  21st. — Arose  with  a  very  severe  headache,  and  was  obliged 
to  bear  up  against  it  during  a  long  breakfast,  and  much  longer  story 
which  Warren  inflicted  upon  me  of  his  early  fortunes.  He  is  the 
son  of  a  dissenting  clergyman  in  Manchester,  a  schismatic  from  his 
sect ;  was  intended  to  study  physic,  left  it  in  disgust — refused  to  qualify 
himself  as  a  dissenting  preacher,  gained  credit  at  the  University  of 
Edinburgh,  and  was  turned  out  of  doors  by  his  father ;  wrote  to  his 
uncle,  whom  he  had  never  seen,  for  assistance  to  follow  the  law ;  to  his 
surprise,  the  answer  gave  him  liberty  to  draw  for  £300 ;  he  came  to 
London,  struggled,  and  at  last  married  his  present  wife,  then  a  widow, 
with  a  good  fortune.     Mr.  Webster  and  I  talked  over  the  engagement 

*  The  author  of  the  Ingoldshy  Legends. 

*  Benjamin  Nottingham  Webster  (1797-1882);  the  well-known  actor  and  play  adaptor. 

*  Samuel  Warren. 

*  Sir  Howard  Elphinstone,  Bart.  (1773-1846);  a  distinguished  Engineer  officer. 

*  William  Etty  (1787-1849);  the  well-known  R.A. 

395 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

he  had  spoken  of  last  night.  I  dissuaded  him  from  it  in  the  strongest 
manner,  fearing  its  success,  and  more  than  half  wishing  not  to  go.  I 
asked  high  terms,  which  he  tried  in  vain  to  make  me  moderate.  Went 
to  dine  with  Bulwer,  with  whom  I  met  Fonblanque,  Auldjo,  Count 
D'Orsay,  Fred  Reynolds,  Mill  and  Trelawney,  and  some  other  persons. 
It  was  a  very  pleasant  day.  His  house  is  fitted  up  in  the  best  taste, 
and  he  is  well  learned  in  the  savoir  vivre.  From  thence  I  went  to 
Mrs.  Leicester  Stanhope's,  where  I  saw  a  crowd,  and  remained  but  a 
short  time. 

May  22nd. — Called  on  Forster,  who  gave  me  a  letter  from  Brown- 
ing, at  which  I  was  surprised  and  annoyed ;  as  if  I  had  done  nothing 
for  him — having  worn  down  my  spirits  and  strength  as  I  have  done — 
he  now  asks  me  to  study  a  speech  at  the  end  of  the  second  act,  and 
an  entire  scene  which  I  am  to  restore  in  the  fourth  act.  Such  a  selfish, 
absurd,  and  useless  imposition  to  lay  on  me  could  scarcely  have  entered 
into  any  one's  imagination.  I  was  at  first  disgusted  by  the  sickly  and 
fretful  over-estimate  of  his  work  and  was  angry ;  but  reflected  that  he 
did  not  know  what  he  required  me  to  do,  and  had  forgotten  what  I 
have  done;  "so  let  him  pass,  a  blessing  on  his  head!  "  I  shall  not 
do  it. 

May  23rd. — Webster  came  into  my  room,  and,  after  a  long  con- 
versation upon  the  bargain,  it  was  concluded.  For  two  months  at  the 
Haymarket  theatre,  £20  per  night,  at  three  nights  per  week,  the  first 
fortnight ;  to  return  £10  per  night  the  third  week  if  the  Bridal  be 
produced,  for  which  I  am  to  receive  £12  per  night  additional ;  during 
its  run  to  throw  in  an  additional  night  per  week,  or,  if  it  fails,  to  be 
liable  to  be  called  on  for  a  fourth  night,  extra  work  at  XIO  per  night. 
Acted  Posthumus. 

Elstreey  May  24t^. — Note  of  excuse  from  Mr.  Forrest,  to  whom 
I  have  now  shown  every  courtesy,  and  who  must  admit,  "  if  he  have 
any  justice,"  my  conduct  most  attentive  to  him;  from  Stanfield, 
excusing  himself,  to  my  sorrow,  on  the  score  of  illness.  The  salver  for 
Talfourd  arrived,  which  I  thought  very  handsome.  Took  a  cab,  and  in 
it  wedged  out  our  way  through  the  crowds  of  Piccadilly  and  Regent 
Street,  gaping  at  the  illuminations  of  a  set  of  fools  and  slaves  who, 
in  their  own  "weakness,  gasping  for  the  shows  of  outward  strength," 
build  up  an  earthen  idol  whose  weight  may  one  day  crush  them. 

May  25t/i.— Talfourd,  Mrs.  Talfourd,  Price,  White  arrived.  As 
the  Talfourds  were  leaving  us  I  placed  the  salver  and  its  case  in  the 
carriage,  and  then  went  up  to  the  drawing-room,  where  I  gave  the  key 


BENJAMIN   WEBSTER 

From  an  engraving  hji  W.  J.  Pouiid  of  a  photorirapli  hi/  Mayall 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

to  Talfourd,  telling  him  it  belonged  to  a  case  which  I  had  put  in  the 
carriage,  and  in  which  he  would  find  a  small  remembrance  that  I  hoped 
he  would  keep  for  my  sake. 

London,  May  9,6th. — Arriving,  I  found  a  note  from  a  Mrs.  Matthew 
Linwood,  whose  name  I  knew  in  Birmingham  as  a  boy,  but  who,  a 
brewer's  daughter,  would  have  looked  down  on  me ;  she  now  applies 
to  me  to  give  an  opinion  upon  her  son's  qualifications  for  the  stage. 
Was  exceedingly  fatigued ;  looked  at  newspaper.  Lay  down  after 
dinner,  and  could  do  nothing  but  sleep.  Acted  Pierre  with  as  much 
spirit  as  I  could,  but  I  require  a  complete  reconsideration  of  the  char- 
acter. Heard  the  prompter  go  and  summon  Miss  Faucit  to  appear, 
having  been  called.  He  afterwards  came  to  me,  and  after  him  Mr. 
Webster,  to  say  that  I  was  required,  but  I  thought  it  no  compliment 
if  the  audience  had  summoned  me  after  the  other  performers ;  and  if 
they  had  required  me  first,  it  was  only  right  the  persons  guilty  of 
the  impertinence  of  placing  me  in  such  a  position  should  be  responsible 
for  it.  A  most  gratifying  note  of  acknowledgment  from  Talfourd, 
making  me  very  happy  in  the  reflection  of  having  done  rightly  and 
kindly  by  him. 

ElstreCy  May  28th. — Left  dear  home  in  the  carriage  a  little  after 
six,  and  reached  Lady  Blessington's  about  a  quarter  before  eight. 
Found  there  Fonblanque,  Bulwer,  Trelawney,  Procter,  Auldjo,  Forster, 
Lord  Canterbury,^  Fred  Reynolds,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fairlie,  Kenney, 
a  young  Manner s-Sutton,  Count  D'Orsay  and  some  unknown.  I 
passed  an  agreeable  day,  had  a  long  and  interesting  conversation  in 
the  drawing-room  (what  an  elegant  and  splendid  room  it  is !)  with 
D'Orsay  on  pictures.  He  has  great  taste  and  the  proper  accompani- 
ment of  fine  taste,  if  indeed  it  be  not  its  primary  element,  great 
enthusiasm.  Lardner  was  there  in  the  evening,  but  I  merely  shook 
hands  with  him ;  spoke  to  Fonblanque  about  coming  down  to  Elstree 
next  week,  to  which  he  most  pleasantly  and  cheerfully  agreed.  Walked 
home  with  Forster  and  Trelawney. 

London,  May  SOth. — W^as  a  little  displeased  to  see  Mr.  Liston's 
and  Madame  Pasta's  names  put  in  the  playbill  as  superior  persons,  and 
felt  disposed  to  make  Mr.  Rodwell  pay  for  the  impertinence,  but  with 
Lord  Falkland  I  say,  "  Peace !     Peace !  "     Called  on  Miss  Huddart, 

*  Charles  Manners-Sutton,  first  Viscount  Canterbury  (1780-1845);  G.C.  B.;  Speaker  ot 
the  House  of  Commons  from  181 7  to  1835,  when  he  was  defeated  by  Abercromby  in  a 
contest  for  the  Chair,  and  was  created  Viscount  Canterbury.  His  wife  was  a  sister  of  Lady 
Blessington. 

397 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1887 

whom  I  found  much  less  tractable  than  I  had  expected.  I  would  not 
advise  or  persuade  her,  but  endeavoured  to  make  her  distinguish 
between  the  fallacy  of  certain  opinions  which  led  to  nothing,  and  facts 
which  were  frequent  with  substantial  advantages.  I  lost  time,  which 
I  needed  much ;  but  at  last  she  agreed  to  take  £9  per  week,  if  Mr. 
Webster  would  give  it. 

ElstreCf  May  Slst. — Miss  ,  in  her  nightly  flirtation,  told  me 

that  she  thought  of  going  to  the  Haymarket,  and  chiefly  because  I  was 
to  be  there.     Nous  verrons  ! 

June  2nd. — I  should  almost  say,  virtue  is  impossible  in  a  theatre — 
the  mind  cannot  remain  pure,  unless  some  strong  attachment  absorbs  the 
heart  on  the  first  lighting  up  of  passionate  emotion.  It  cannot  be 
the  same  in  other  stations — at  least,  nowhere  is  there  so  much  to  be  said 
in  palliation  of  frailty  as  on  the  stage,  and  therefore  it  should  be 
shunned  as  infection  or  as  death — for  purity  cannot  live  there. 

June  i^rd. — A  person,  calling  himself  Mr.  Monteagle,  of  good 
property,  wished  to  know  what  I  should  require  for  instructing  him 
so  completely  as  to  bring  him  not  exactly  up  to  my  own  degree  of 
talent,  but  very  near  it.  I  told  him  I  would  pay  very  willingly  to  be 
taught,  if  any  one  could  teach.  I  civilly  dismissed  him,  after  enduring 
the  bore  for  some  time.  Acted  Othello  pretty  well — unequally,  but 
some  parts,  in  the  third  act  particularly,  forcibly.  Was  called  for  at 
the  end  of  the  play  and  well  received.  Thus  ended  my  Covent  Garden 
engagement,  which,  thank  God,  has  been  profitable  and  agreeable  to 
me.  God  be  praised.  Mr.  C.  Mathews  had  the  cool  impudence  to 
ask  me  to  play  Joseph  Surface  for  his  Benefit !  The  self-satisfied 
assurance  of  this  young  man  really  surprised  me.  Spoke  to  Webster 
about  Miss  Faucit. 

Elstree^  June  5th. — Found  at  chambers  a  note  from  George  Barker, 
inviting  me  to  subscribe  to  a  monument  to  Dr.  Wooll  at  Rugby,  which, 
it  now  appears,  is  stopped  for  want  of  funds,  and  therefore  I  am 
honoured  by  a  notice  of  the  measure.  There  is  no  use  in  being 
offended ;  I  shall  think  on  what  I  ought  to  do,  and  do  it.  Called  on 
Miss  Martineau — on  the  arrival  of  the  carriage  drove  her  home,  talking 
the  whole  way.  After  dinner  heard  the  dear  children's  prayers,  and, 
with  the  exception  of  one  walk  round  the  garden,  talked  away  the 
whole  evening.  The  only  subject  on  which  I  did  not  cordially  agree 
with  this  fine-minded  woman,  and  on  which  I  do  not  clearly  imderstand 
her,  is  her  advocacy  of  the  restoration  of  the  rights  of  women.  I  do 
not  see  what  she  would  have  in  point  of  political  ppwer,  nor  fpr  what. 

398 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

She  told  some  things  of  Calhoun,  the  Senator  for  South  Carolina, 
that  quite  surprised  me ;  and  gave  me  information  upon  Lord  Durham's 
character  ^  which  raises  him  greatly  in  my  estimation. 

June  6th. — After  breakfast,  when  I  asked  Miss  Martineau  if  she 
would  like  to  see  Ascot  races,  and  on  her  expressing  her  desire  to  do  so, 
decided  on  going  there ;  took  up  Hamlet,  and  studied  part  of  the 
second  act.  Received  a  letter  from  dear  Letty,  written  apparently  in 
very  good  spirits.  Drove  out  through  Aldenham  to  Watford,  and 
thence  to  the  tunnel  of  the  railway,  returning  through  Bushey,  with 
Miss  Martineau  and  Catherine.  The  weather  was  beautiful,  and  Miss 
Martineau 's  conversation  most  agreeable ;  it  was  a  very  delightful  drive. 
Listened  to  Miss  Martineau's  narration  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
Abolitionists  at  Boston,  and  their  persecutions ;  Miss  Martineau's  share 
in  them,  as  far  as  any  public  act  went,  was  the  acceptance  of  an 
invitation  to  be  present  at  a  meeting  of  the  Society,  and,  being  there, 
in  obedience  to  a  question,  which  might  be  regarded  as  a  challenge 
or  test  of  her  sincerity,  her  declaration  before  about  130  ladies  of  her 
adherence  to  anti-slavery  principles. 

London,  June  15th. — Went  to  the  Haymarket,  and  read  the  Bridal 
in  the  green-room,  which  seemed  to  interest  the  actors  much. 

June  16th. — Sent  to  the  theatre  about  the  rehearsal,  and  after 
looking  at  the  newspaper  to  ascertain  the  state  of  the  King's  health  '^ — 
what  an  absurdity  that  the  natural  ailment  of  an  old  and  ungifted  man 
should  cause  so  much  perplexity  and  annoyance ! — went  to  the  Hay- 
market  and  rehearsed,  with  some  care,  Othello.  Acted  Othello  in  some 
respects  very  well,  but  want  much  attention  to  it  still.  Mr.  Elton  is 
not  good,  and  is  unfair.  I  was  called  for,  and  after  long  delay  went 
forward.  Forster  came  into  my  room  with  a  gentleman,  whom  he 
introduced  as  Dickens,  alias  Boz — I  was  glad  to  see  him.^ 

*  Miss  Martineau  had  a  very  high  opinion  of  Lord  Durham,  both  in  his  political  and 
private  capacity,  which  was  not  generally  shared  at  that  time.  In  her  Autobiography  she 
pays  him  a  feeling  and  eloquent  tribute,  laying  the  responsibility  for  his  early  death  on 
Brougham,  whom  she  charges  with  the  grossest  treachery  to  his  friend  and  former  colleague. 
Of  this,  unfortunately,  Brougham  in  other  instances  had  shown  himself  to  be  fiilly  capable; 
but  according  to  the  verdict  of  history  Durham  was  hardly  deserving  of  Miss  Martineau's 
glowing  eulogium.  He  was  an  able  man  with  some  generous  impulses,  but  inordinately 
ambitious,  and  a  headstrong  and  far  from  tractable  colleague. 

*  William  IV  was  then  dying,  but  Macready  was  too  rigorous  a  democrat  to  feel  much 
sympathy  with  Royal  sufferers. 

'  Thus  began  a  friendship  of  the  happiest  and  most  genial  description  that  was  only 
terminated  by  Dickens's  death,  thirty-three  years  afterwards.  Dickens  was  then  not  more 
than  twenty-five,  and  had  not  yet  published  any  of  his  novels,  though  the  Sketches  by  Box 
had  brought  him  a  good  deal  of  reputation  as  a  magazine  contributor. 

399 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

June  nth. — Called  on  Mr.  Robertson  and  spoke  with  him  about 
his  note  to  me  on  the  subject  of  entering  into  the  management  of 
Covent  Garden  theatre ;  premising  that  I  would  not  venture  any  part 
of  my  little  property,  nor  make  any  venture  beyond  that  of  my  own 
talent.  He  was  to  lay  Mr.  Osbaldiston's  refusal  to  continue  in  the 
management  before  the  proprietors,  to  sound  them  upon  the  re-opening 
of  the  theatre,  and  give  me  notice  of  their  views. 

June  ISth. — Dined  with  Talfourd,  where  I  met  Hayter  ^  (Chancery 
Bar),  Dickens  (Boz),  Procter,  Price,  Forster.  Lane  and  another  came 
in  the  evening.  Procter  sounded  me  on  a  new  play,  but  I  did  not 
encourage  him. 

June  Idth. — Went  to  rehearsal,  having  previously  looked  at  the 
newspaper  for  the  King's  health.  Went  to  theatre ;  when  half  dressed 
a  person  passed  my  door  saying  the  King  "was  off."  Upon  inquiry 
I  heard  that  notices  of  the  event — his  death — had  been  fixed  up  at  the 
offices  of  the  Courier  and  Observer,  and  it  was  said  that  it  had  been  up 
at  the  Mansion  House  more  than  two  hours  since.  The  state  of  sus- 
pense in  which  I  was  kept  to  the  very  moment  of  the  beginning  of  the 
play  so  agitated  me  that  when  I  went  on  the  stage  I  was  weaker  than 
I  often  am  when  I  finish  a  character.  I  laboured  through  Richard,  but 
it  was  labour,  and  most  ineffectual.     I  was  very  bad,  very  bad. 

June  20th. — Breakfasted  at  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  heard  of 
the  King's  death — a  subject  that  the  newspapers  will  moralize  and 
sentimentalize  upon,  until  one  becomes  ashamed  of  one's  species — the 
ruthless,  heartless,  shameless  sicarii  of  the  Times  canting  about  "  the 
affectionate  adieux  "  and  "  death-bed  counsels  "  of  the  poor  old  King 
to  his  successor,  if  she  had  been  permitted  to  see  him.  What  a 
wearying  riddle  is  this  world  I  Nothing  seems  vile  to  the  vile  majority 
of  its  inhabitants  but  poverty.  There  must  he  a  better,  since  this  is 
so  hard  to  endure.  Went  to  the  Garrick  Club  and  read  a  most  unmanly 
and  Billingsgate  attack  of  the  Times  on  the  Duchess  of  Kent.^  Bartley 
walked  out  with  me,  and  we  talked  long  on  the  subject  of  Covent 
Garden  theatre;  he  seemed  to  expect  that  he  was  to  be  a  "brother  of 
the  war,"  but  I  discountenanced  that  idea.  He  thought  it  best  last 
year  that  I  should  stand  alone — I  think  so  now. 

June  22nd. — Overtook  an  omnibus  on  my  way  to  the  theatre,  in 
which  I  found  Lane,  who  showed  me  a  drawing  he  had  made  (which  he 

/  Sir  William  Goodenough  Hayter  (1792- 1878);  Q.C.  1839;  afterwards  Chief  Whip  of 
the  Liberal  party. 

*  The  Duchess  of  Kent  had  not  been  on  good  terms  with  the  King,  and  was  considered 
in  many  quarters  to  have  given  herself  undue  prominence  as  mother  of  the  future  Queen, 
400 


1837]  THE    DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

acknowledged  to  be  too  handsome)  of  the  young  Queen  for  a  medal — 
the  gold  medals  to  be  £10  10s.,  the  silver  XI  10s.,  the  copper  10s.  Does 
it  not  sicken  a  rational  mind  to  see  the  great  gifts  of  reason  enslaved 
and  debaseci  to  such  senseless  folly  as  that  men  should  set  up  these 
golden  calves  to  worship,  of  their  own  fabrication,  and  then  bow  down 
before  them,  instead  of  keeping  their  eyes  fixed  on  the  mighty  God 
who  made  them,  and  all  His  mighty  works  that  He  created  with  them 
and  for  them  ?  The  crowd  of  fools  that  herded  together  yesterday  to 
sweat  for  hours  under  a  burning  sun,  choking  the  streets,  and  lining 
the  house-tops  and  the  windows  upon  the  occasion  of  the  proclamation 
of  Queen  Victoria,  shows  how  distant  is  the  hope  of  the  people  in  this 
country  living  for  themselves  and  seeking  the  real  truth  in  the  knowledge 
and  machinery  of  Government ! 

June  S,Srd. — Called  on  Forster,  with  whom  I  found  Browning ;  we 
talked  of  the  abuse  of  himian  reason  in  the  worship  offered  to  a 
creature  (for  what  is  it  but  worship,  and  what  other  God,  or  kind  of 
God  do  these  people  bow  down  and  pray  to,  etc.)  whom  we  choose  to 
call  king  or  queen,  instead  of  the  adoration  of  mind  and  heart  poured 
forth  in  thought  and  deed  by  the  effort  to  approach  nearer  to  His 
perfection — to  Hiniy  the  Almighty,  the  All-wise,  All-good  ! 

June  24t/i. — The  anniversary  of  my  marriage — a  day  which  recalls 
to  my  heart  its  duty  of  gratitude  to  Almighty  God  for  the  manifold 
blessings  He  has  bestowed  upon  me  through  my  dear  and  blessed  wife, 
upon  whose  dear  head,  as  upon  my  precious  children's,  I  implore,  in 
all  humility  and  earnestness  of  heart,  the  continuance  of  His  divine 
protection  and  mercy,  now  and  for  evermore. 

June  ^6th. — Acted  Melantius  in  the  Bridaly  which  I  had  altered 
with  some  scenes  by  Knowles,  from  Beaumont  and  Fletcher's  Maid^s 
Tragedy.  The  play  went  with  considerable  applause.  I  did  not  please 
myself  in  the  acting  of  Melantius,  which  was  a  crude,  unfinished  per- 
formance. Being  called  for,  I  led  on  Miss  Huddart.  Wallace  and 
Bryden,  Browning,  Forster,  and  Dickens  came  into  my  room. 

June  ^Ith. — Called  at  Forster's,  where  a  note  had  been  left,  which 
I  got  at  61,  Lincoln's  Inn  Fields,  and  on  its  direction  proceeded  to 
Dickens's  in  Doughty  Street.  Another  note  directed  me,  under  the 
guidance  of  his  brother,  to  Cold-Bath  Fields,  where  I  found  Dickens, 
Forster,  Cattermole  and  Brown,  the  Pickwick  artist.  I  went  through 
this  sad  scene  of  punishment  and  shame,  and  my  heart  sank  in  its 
hope  for  the  elevation  of  my  kind.  From  this  place  we  proceeded 
to  Newgate,  over  which  we  went,  and  in  the  second  room  into  which 
we  were  shown  I  saw  a  man  reading ;  he  turned  as  we  entered — it  was 
VOL.1.  DD  401 


THE  DIARIES   OF  MACREADY  [1837 

Wainewright  ^ — with  large,  heavy  moustaches — the  wretched  man  over- 
laid with  crime.  Several  in  solitary  cells  under  sentence,  and  one  to 
be  hanged  for  rape.  He  seemed  the  most  cheerful  of  them  all ;  but  in 
all  the  pride  of  our  nature  seemed  eradicated  or  trodden  down — it  was 
a  most  depressing  sight.  We  proceeded  to  Dickens's  to  dinner,  where 
Harley,  Mr.  Hogarth,^  and  a  Mr.  Banks  (who  had  married  Maclise's 
sister)  joined  us.  Our  evening  was  very  cheerful,  and  we  laughed 
much  at  Mr.  Harley's  theatrical  efforts  to  entertain. 

June  28th. — At  Forster's  chambers  I  met  Browning — prevented 
what  seemed  to  be  ripening  into  a  quarrel  between  them  ;  told  them  of 
Miss  H.'s  match,  and  was  sorry  to  find  my  worst  fears  confirmed  by 
Forster.  He  wished  me  to  "  stop  the  marriage."  I  explained  to  him 
that  I  could  not,  on  his  vague  abuse,  interfere  between  two  persons 
so  engaged,  and  that  he  was  speaking  without  judgment.  Browning 
walked  with  me  to  H.  Smith's,  complaining  by  the  way  of  Forster's 
unreasonable  expectations ;  that  he  (B )  should  shake  off  acquaint- 
ances with  whom  he  (F )  had  quarrelled.     This  seemed  absurd,  and 

I  so  expressed  myself,  though  one  of  these  persons  I  believe  to  be  a 
very  poor  and  little-minded  person.  Forster,  walking  towards  home 
with  me,  complained  much  and  censured  severely  Browning's  behaviour. 
Note  from  Ransom's;  played  with  the  children.  Wrote  to  Maclise, 
Mrs.  and  Miss  Martineau,  L.  Twanley. 

June  29t^. — Called  on  Forster,  who  mentioned  some  things  about 
Browning  that  gave  me  concern. 

July  11th. — Wrote  to  Miss  Faucit,^  offering  her  £15  per  week. 
Went  to  dine  with  Mrs.  Buller,  where  I  met  C.  Buller.  Thackeray 
came  in  the  evening,  Dickens,  John  Mill,^  Martineau,  Hawes,^  Stanley, 
Miss  Martineau,  Miss  Austin.  Walked  with  Dickens  to  Garrick  Club, 
where  we  met  Forster.     Took  a  cab  home. 

July   14fth. — Received   an   answer   from   Miss   Faucit.*     Spoke   to 

^  Thomas  Griffiths  Wainewright  (i 794-1852);  art-critic,  forger,  and  suspected  poisoner. 
He  was  at  one  time  acquainted  with  Charles  Lamb,  and  other  well-known  literary  men  of 
the  day. 

•  George  Hogarth  (1783-1870),  musical  critic  ;  father-in-law  of  Charles  Dickens. 

•  Macready  was  negotiating  for  a  lease  of  Covent  Garden  theatre,  with  a  view  to 
management  and  provisionally  forming  the  company. 

•  John  Stuart  Mill  (1806-1873);  the  distinguished  philosopher. 

•  Probably  Sir  Benjamin  Hawes  (1797-1862),  a  Whig  politician  ;  at  that  time  M.P.  for 
Lambeth. 

•  Miss  Faucit's  letter  was  as  follows : — 

*^  lb.  Hunter  Stred, 
"  Liverpool. 
"Mv  DEAR  Mr.  Macready, 

"  I  have  just  received  your  letter,  and  let  me  say  how  proud  and  happy  I  should 
402 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Farren  about  Miss  Faucit.  Fladgate,  T.  Hill,  and  some  others  spoke 
to  me  about  "having  taken  Covent  Garden  theatre."  I  told  them  I 
had  not  taken  it. 

July  ISth. — Called  at  the  Garrick  Club,  and  looked  at  newspapers ; 
went  on  to  the  Haymarket  theatre,  where  I  saw  Webster,  and  learned 
from  him  that  it  was  true  Mr.  Phelps  ^  was  to  have  a  trial  there,  whom 
I  thought  of  engaging  if  he  should  prove  good. 

July  19th. — Acted  Melantius  not  well.  The  occupation  of  my 
mind  in  other  matters  is  already  beginning  to  display  its  effect  on  my 
acting,  and  I  must  be  most  careful  to  guard  against  its  encroachment 
on  my  labours  for  improvement ;  I  was  not  good  to-night.  Spoke  to 
Mrs.  Humby,^  and  secured  her  for  £6  10s.  per  week. 

July  23rd. — Rose  rather  early  and  considerably  tired,  to  go  post 
to  Penn,  where  Liston  lives.  On  my  way  I  arranged  in  my  own  mind 
the  business  of  Hamlet,  scenery,  etc.  Arriving  at  Penn,  I  drove  up 
to  Liston 's  house,  and  found  that  he  had  gone  to  church ;  I  was  glad 
of  the  opportunity,  and,  going  in,  was  shown  into  a  pew.  The  service 
was  most  respectably  performed,  the  church  very  clean  and  neat,  and 
the  sermon,  according  to  the  opinions  of  the  preacher,  in  a  very 
becoming  tone.  I  was  pleased  and  interested,  and  happy  in  the 
opportunity  of  imploring  the  Divine  blessing  upon  the  enterprise  I 

feel  in  being  under  the  management  of  one  for  whom  I  entertain  such  warm  feelings  of 
respect  and  regard. 

"I  am  very  sorry  I  am  not  at  liberty  to  answer  your  letter  as  I  could  wish,  but  I  am 
almost  a  novice  in  my  profession  and  should  be  fearful  of  doing  wrong  and  incurring  the 
censure  of  my  friends  were  I  to  give  an  assent  to  what  you  propose  without  first  consulting 
them ;  indeed,  as  Mr.  Farren  arranged  my  engagement  with  Mr.  Osbaldiston,  and  as  I  had 
no  hand  at  all  in  it,  I  cou/d  not  relinquish  any  part  of  that  which  is  entirely  at  my  mother's 
disposal,  without  his  consent.  I  must  therefore,  if  you  please,  refer  you  to  Mr.  Farren  for 
an  answer  to  your  letter.  I  shall  write  home  by  this  post,  and  state  every  particular  of  what 
you  have  so  kindly  explained  to  me,  and  what  they  consider  best,  and  decide  upon  (which 
I  think  will  be  as  I  wish),  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  abide  by. 

"With  many  thanks  for  your  kind  inquiries  after  myself  and  sister,  who  I  grieve  to  say  is 
still  very  ill  indeed, 

"  Believe  me,  my  dear  Sir, 

"  Vours  most  sincerely, 

" Wednesday  evening,  "Helen  Faucit. 

"July  12M." 

*  Samuel  Phelps  (1804-1878);  the  eminent  Shakspearian  actor  ;  his  first  London  appear- 
ance was  as  Shylock  at  the  Haymarket  in  1837.  lie  produced  Shakspeare's  plays  at  Sadlers 
Wells  theatre  with  marked  success  from   1844  to  1862. 

•  Anne  Humby,  n/e  Ayre,  an  excellent  light  comedy  actress  ;  she  first  appeared  in  1817, 
and  died  in  1849.  Her  charms  were  celebrated  in  a  couplet  more  ingenious  than  con- 
ventional which  has  not  yet  wholly  passed  out  of  circulatir.i. 

D  D  2  403 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

have  in  hand.  After  service  I  looked  about  the  churchyard  for  Liston, 
whom  I  had  observed  very  gravely  attending  to  his  duty  in  church, 
and  when  I  approached  him  his  surprise  was  extreme.     I  walked  home 

with  him,  and  saw  Mrs.  L and  another  lady ;  talked  for  some  time, 

lunched,  and  walked  out  with  Liston  to  look  at  Taylor's  house,  and 
see  something  of  the  country,  which  is  pretty,  but  not  comparable 
to  the  neighbourhood  of  Elstree.  We  talked  of  many  things,  chiefly 
theatricals,  and  I  asked  him  to  come  to  Covent  Garden.  He  said 
that  he  never  intended  to  act  again.  I  did  not  urge  him,  but  as  we 
talked  on,  I  told  him  we  should  not  differ  on  terms,  and  that  I  should 
be  happy  to  see  him  and  would  make  him  as  comfortable  as  I  could. 
I  got  a  frequent  repetition  of  the  promise  from  him  that,  if  he  acted 
anywhere,  it  should  be  with  me,  and  I  thought  I  perceived  a  disposition 
in  him  to  yield,  which  I  thought  it  better  not  to  press.  Met  Taylors, 
declined  their  invitations  to  dinner,  and  left  them  on  Liston 's  premises. 
Returned  to  Hamlet.     Reached  home  by  half-past  five. 

July  24t/i. — Went  into  the  theatre  to  take  possession  of  it,  invok- 
ing the  blessing  of  Almighty  God  upon  my  undertaking.  Talked  with 
Marshall,  who  seemed  to  enter  into  all  my  plans  respecting  scenery,  etc. 

July  ^5th. — Mr.  Buckstone  called.^  I  received  him  very 
courteously,  but  was  by  no  means  captivated  by  his  manners,  or 
sentiments.     I  thought  him  a  coxcomb. 

July  21th. — Answered  Messrs.  Bennett,  Montague,  and  Tilbury. 
Received  a  letter,  in  very  kind  strain,  from  Calcraft,  lamenting  my 
undertaking ;  his  lamentation  was  a  prophecy.  Called  on  Wallace  to 
ask  his  opinion  of  memorializing  the  Queen  for  her  special  patronage, 
and  the  liberty  to  assume  the  title  of  Her  Majesty's  Company  of  Per- 
formers. He  thought,  if  obtained,  it  would  be  of  great  service,  and 
assented  to  the  proposal  to  get  an  introduction  to  Lord  Durham,  and 
ask  his  interest.  I  called  on  Miss  Kelly,  who  wished  me  to  hear  some 
pupils  of  hers.  Went  on,  in  my  day's  cab,  to  Covent  Garden  theatre, 
saw  Mr.  Bartley,  and  received  many  letters. 

July  29th. — Dickens  and  Forster  called,  and  I  walked  out  with 
them,  Dickens  speaking  to  me  of  the  comedy  he  was  desirous  of 
attempting. 

August  12th. — Proceeding  to  Covent  Garden  theatre;  listened  to  a 
long  account  of  Mr.   Bartley 's  about  Lord  Hertford  "  and  the  sub- 

^  John  Baldwin  Buckstone  (1802-1879);  the  well-known  actor-manager;  he  was 
principally  identified  with  the  Haymarket  theatre,  which  was  under  his  management  from 
1853  to  1876.. 

•  The  original  of  Thackeray's  Lord  Steyne  and  Disraeli's  Lord  Monmouth. 
404 


1837]  THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

committee  and  Mr.  Bunn,  which  very  little  affected  me,  except  to  con- 
firm me  in  my  contempt  for  such  disgusting  blots  on  humanity  as 
these  things  called  Lords  generally  are ;  here  is  a  man  uttering  a  parcel 
of  the  greatest  folly  and  falsehood  that  was  ever  heard,  vouching  for 
the  character  of  a  notorious  scoundrel,  whose  life  has  been  a  series  of 
failures  and  unsuccessful  knaveries,  for  the  purpose,  as  it  is  supposed, 
of  quartering  some  prostitute  upon  his  Drury  Lane  salary  list !  Mr. 
Farren  called,  and  detained  me  about  two  and  a  half  hours.  I  was 
wrong,  perhaps,  not  to  sign  the  shameful  article  he  imposes  on  me 
at  once,  since  it  must  be  signed,  but  I  vainly  and  therefore  injudiciously 
— indeed  absurdly — thought  that  reason  might  have  some  weight  with 
a  fool.  I  could  not  move  him,  and  once  I  thought  him  on  the  point 
of  starting  off ;  but  the  conversation  ended  in  his  agreeing  to  send  the 
article  as  mutually  agreed  on  to  myself  and  to  Miss  H.  Faucit  for 
signature.^ 

Southampton,   August   14>th. — Saw   the  play  of  the  Iron   Chest; 
what  a  thing  it  is.     I  was  disgusted  with  the  patches  of  sentiment 

^  The  agreement  as  signed  by  W.  Farren  on  Miss  Faucit's  behalf  was  as  follows  : — 

"It  is  hereby  agreed  between  William  Macready,  Esq.,  Lessee  of  Covent  Garden  theatre 
and  Miss  Helen  Faucit  of  No.  30,  Brompton  Square,  that  the  said  Helen  Faucit  shall  be 
engaged  to  perform  in  Covent  Garden  as  the  principal  Tragic  Actress  from  the  commence- 
ment of  the  season  1837  to  the  final  close  thereof,  1838. 

"That  Miss  Faucit  shall  receive  a  salary  of  Fifteen  Pounds  per  week  for  every  six  nights 
of  Theatrical  performances  at  the  said  Theatre  to  be  paid  on  the  Saturday  of  each  week 
daring  the  period  of  the  above  specified  season. 

"  That  in  every  Tragedy  or  serious  play  performed  during  such  season  at  Covent  Garden 
theatre  Miss  Faucit  shall  have  the  choice  of  the  principal  character  with  the  privilege  of 
refusing  any  and  every  one  which  she  may  deem  detrimental  to  her  interest  to  perform;  all 
dresses  proper  for  the  characters  Miss  Helen  Faucit  may  act  to  be  found  by  the  Management. 

"  It  is  also  agreed  between  the  named  parties  that  Miss  Helen  Faucit  shall  have  a  Benefit 
at  Covent  Garden  theatre  on  paying  the  usual  charges  in  case  she  should  deem  it  to  her 
advantage  to  take  one. 

"  That  if  orders  be  written  by  the  Management,  Miss  Helen  Faucit  shall  be  entitled  to 
write  admissions  for  two  persons  to  the  Boxes  and  two  to  the  Gallery  on  every  night  the 
Theatre  may  be  open,  save  on  such  nights  devoted  to  Benefits. 

"  That  Miss  Helen  Faucit  shall  retain  every  and  all  characters  which  she  had  already 
acted  in  Tragedy  and  Comedy  at  Covent  Garden  theatre  with  the  exception  of  Queen 
Catherine  in  Henry  VIII. 

"That  Miss  Faucit  shall  be  subject  to  the  Rules  and  Regulations  of  the  Theatre,  as  far 
as  they  extend  to  this  engagement. 

"It  is  also  agreed  between  the  within  named  parties  that  if  either  break  this  engagement 
the  damages  for  such  breach  of  engagetfient  shall  be  estimated  at  Two  Hundred  Pounds. 

"William  Farrkn. 

"  Witness, 

"Geo.  Hartlky. 

"  idth  Aiii^usi,  1837." 

405 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

and  claptraps  upon  national  privileges,  humanity,  and  all  the  other 
virtues  in  which  G.  Colman  was  so  rich — on  paper.  Mr.  Phelps  in 
Sir  Edward  Mortimer  displayed  intelligence,  occasionally  great  energy, 
some  imagination — not  much ;  want  of  finish,  of  experience,  of  logic 
in  the  working  out  the  character — (to  lay  violent  hands  on  the  term) 
— of  depth  in  all  the  great  parts.  His  best  scene  decidedly  was  his 
death,  but  even  there  was  a  want  of  method.  His  level  speaking  is 
often  very  pleasing — always  sensible,  I  expected  from  his  opening  more 
than  he  achieved.  There  was  no  ahsorhing  feeling  through  the  great 
scenes,  no  evidence  of  the  "  slow  fire  "  "  wearing  his  vitals  "  ;  this  was 
particularly  manifest  in  the  last  act,  where  he  was  direct  and  straight- 
forward even  to  commonplaceness.  I  think  he  will  improve,  and  run 
both  Warde  and  Elton  hard,  and  very  likely  do  much  more.  I  left 
my  note  for  him.  He  called  at  the  Dolphin,  and  I  offered  him  either 
the  salary  he  might  take  from  Mr.  Webster,  or  to  give  him  now  a 
salary,  if  he  would  name  one,  that  I  could  meet.  He  preferred  waiting 
for  Mr.  Webster,  and  we  interchanged  agreements  to  that  effect.  I 
liked  his  tone  and  manner. 

To  London,  August  15th. — Rose  early;  in  leaving  Southampton 
old  Mr.  Maxfield,  the  former  manager  of  Southampton  theatre,  got 
into  the  coach  to  go  to  Winchester  to  see  a  cricket  match ;  it  was 
pleasing  to  see  so  hale,  active,  and  cheerful  an  old  man  of  seventy-five 
years  of  age.  He  mentioned  what  very  much  disgusted  me  with  that 
old  wretch,  the  Duchess  of  St.  Albans  ^ — that,  though  an  old  theatrical 
acquaintance,  she  would  only  communicate  with  him  from  one  room 
to  another  by  an  intermediate  messenger. 

To  Elstree,  August  16th. — Took  Bartley  in  carriage  to  Hyde  Park. 
Called  on  Lord  Conyngham  ^  at  Dudley  House  ;  saw  some  good  pictures. 

Lord  C received  me  very  courteously  and  entered  (or  seemed  to 

do  so)  into  my  views,  promised  to  present  my  memorial  to  the  Queen, 
and  to  say  all  he  could  for  it.  I  left  him  much  pleased.  Returned 
to  Covent  Garden  theatre.  Occupied  the  whole  morning.  Wrote  to 
Phillips.  Signed  articles  with  Diddear,  Miss  P.  Horton,^  Wilson, 
Mrs.  East.  Wrote  to  Mr.  Pritchard.  Dickens  called  with  Mr. 
Hullah,^  who  has  a  comic  opera  nearly  ready.     I  do  not  think,  his 

^  Harriet  Mellon. 

*  The  second  Marquis,  then  Lord  Chamberlain. 

'  Priscilla  Horton  (1818-1895);  afterwards  Mrs.  German  Reed,  then  a  younp  actress  of 
much  attractiveness,  also  a  charming  singer. 

*  John  Pyke  Hullah  (1812-1895);  the  well-known  musical  composer  and  teacher.     His 
Village  Coquettes^  for  which  Dickens  wrote  the  words,  was  produced  in  the  preceding  year. 

406 


1837]  THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

manners  argue  much  genius — if  the  contrary,  it  can  only  be  musical 
genius. 

London,  August  19th. — Wrote  my  memorial  to  the  Queen,  request- 
ing her  to  let  me  call  the  Covent  Garden  players,  "  Her  Majesty's 
Company  of  Performers."  Inclosed  it  in  a  note  to  the  Lord 
Chamberlain  and  sent  it. 

Elstree,  August  23rd. — Bartley  came;  he  brought  me  letters,  news, 
and  a  message  from  the  Lord  Chamberlain.  In  answer  to  my  memorial 
the  Queen  had  expressed  herself  much  interested  in  Covent  Garden ; 
stated  that  she  had  great  respect  for  Mr.  Macready  and  admiration  for 
his  talent,  that  the  precise  object  of  his  request  required  consideration, 
but  if  it  should  be  deemed  impracticable  to  concede,  that  she  trusted 
other  means  might  be  found  of  rendering  assistance  to  his  undertaking. 
Talked  over  various  matters,  and  decided  on  several.  After  dinner 
arranged  the  first  fortnight's  business,  and  cast  the  plays. 

To  London,  August  26th. — Left  my  dear,  my  blessed  home,  its 
quiet,  and  its  joys,  to  enter  on  a  task  for  which  nature  and  taste  have 
disqualified  me.  I  seemed  to  catch  hope  from  what  looked  to  me  like 
omens  of  good  yesterday,  but  to-day,  when  I  make  trial  of  the  dis- 
position and  intellects  of  those  around  me  I  sicken  into  despondency 
even  before  I  begin  my  course.  I  lift  up  my  heart  to  God  for  my 
children  and  myself,  for  I  am  not  a  match  for  the  baseness  and 
treachery  of  those  with  whom  I  must  deal. 

September  1st. — Miss  Huddart  told  me  that  Messrs.  C.  Kean, 
Bunn  and  Hughes  were  seen  very  familiarly  arm-in-arm  together  in 
the  street — this  is  Mr.  C.  Kean,  who  set  up  for  a  preux  chevalier ! 
Acted  Werner  very  unequally ;  could  have  played  it  better  than  I  ever 
in  my  life  did ;  and  did  perform  some  parts  in  a  perfect  style,  but  was 
cut  up  by  the  dreadful  inaccuracy  of  the  actors  in  others. 

September  Srd. — Thought  over  and  calculated  on  paper  my  chances, 
and  find  on  the  present  prices,  and  with  the  advantage  I  give  the 
proprietors  in  my  name,  that  the  bargain  with  them  is  very  hard 
and  heavy  on  me ;  but  I  have  no  complaint  or  discontent  with  them ; 
they  did  for  the  best  for  themselves ;  I  ought  not  to  have  been  led 
away  so  inconsiderately.  Read  over  King  Richard  III.  Read  in 
Homer. 

Birmingham,  September  10th. — Went  down  to  the  railway; 
Bartley  waited  to  see  me  off.  I  felt  much  excited — wonder  and  delight 
filled  my  heart  at  enjoying  this  triumph  of  human  intellect  over  the 
obstacles  of  matter  and  of  time.     I  could  not  satisfy  the  fulness  of 

407 


THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY  [1837 

my  feelings  but  in  saying  my  prayers.  It  is  much  to  see  and  to  enjoy. 
We  want  no  aristocracy  for  such  works  as  these. 

September  11th. — Went  to  rehearsal — half  amused,  half  disgusted 
with  the  mad  conceit  of  the  premier  tragedian  of  this  company.  Heard 
much  gossip  of  the  profligacy  of  players.  It  does  me  good  to  listen 
to  these  stories,  for  the  deformity  of  the  lives  of  such  men  as  Messrs. 

is  quite  frightful  enough  to  drive  one  into  the  arms  of  virtue. 

Rather  unwell,  and  a  little  disconcerted  by  the  conceit  and  presumption 
of  the  actors  here. 

September  12th. — When  it  (the  rehearsal)  was  over,  I  talked  with 
Miss  Faucit  about  her  engagement — ^told  her  how  Mr.  Farren  had 
behaved  in  altering  the  agreements  and  what  they  were.  Demonstrated 
to  her  the  impracticability  of  such  an  engagement,  and  the  danger  it 
contained  to  herself  in  the  case  of  the  hostility  of  authors — the  necessity 
of  keeping  her  out  of  business,  etc. — ^that  in  the  worst  result  to  me  if 
the  experiment  were  unsuccessful  it  would  be  of  no  consequence ;  if  it 
were  triimiphant  the  penalty  would  be  of  little  consideration.  She 
was  seriously  affected  by  this  representation,  and  wished  to  think  that 
Mr.  Farren  did  not  mean  all  in  what  he  did,  but  promised  when  she 
was  of  age — after  October  11th — to  strike  out  of  my  article  the 
obnoxious  clause  and  sign  her  name  to  it.  I  told  her  that  it  did  her 
great  honour,  and  that  it  bound  me  more  than  all  the  parchments  in 
the  world  to  be  her  friend,  and  to  do  my  utmost  to  promote  her 
welfare — which  I  will  do.  I  was  very  much  pleased  with  her.  Acted 
Othello  indifferently.  I  was  made  nervous  at  the  outset  and,  though 
I  laboured,  I  could  not  hide  the  labour — it  was  a  bad  performance. 
The  great  error  of  my  performance  of  Othello  was  in  the  heavy,  stately 
tone  in  which  I  pitched  the  part,  instead  of  the  free,  bold,  cheerful, 
chivalrous  bearing  of  the  warrior,  the  happy  lover,  and  the  high-born 
man. 

September  ISth. — Went  to  rehearsal ;  talked  with  Clarke  about 

Messrs.  Phelps  and  C.  Kean,  from  whom  he  does  not  expect  much. 

Made  calculations,  which  were  more  cheering  than  they  have  been. 

I^ay  down  on  the  sofa.     Not  at  all  well.     Cold  and  disordered  system. 

Letter  from  Lord  Dudley  Stuart,^  requesting  me  to  act  on  Monday, 

25th   inst.,   for   the  destitute  Poles.     This  I   cannot   do.     Went   to 

^  Lord  Dudley  Coutts  Stuart  (1803-1854);  a  younger  son  of  the  first  Marquis  of  Bute, 
and  grandson  on  his  mother's  side  of  Thomas  Coutts  the  banker.  His  whole-hearted  efforts 
in  the  cause  of  Poland  only  ceased  with  his  life,  which  he  devoted  to  it.  He  died  when 
visiting  Stockholm,  where  he  was  endeavouring  to  enlist  the  sympathy  and  aid  of  the 
Swedish  King. 

408 


1837]  THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

theatre.  Began  with  a  feeling  of  inability  to  strive  with  my  own 
depression  and  the  languor  of  the  audience.  In  some  degree  over- 
mastered it  as  I  proceeded,  and  finished  the  play — in  a  sort  of  doubtful 
manner — really  not  knowing  what  effect  I  had  produced.  Mr.  Prit- 
chard  came  into  my  room,  and  afterwards  Clarke.  Both  told  me  it 
had  made  a  very  strong  impression,  the  latter  saying  that  it  would 
be  repeated  on  Monday.  I  cannot  understand  this  audience.  The 
labour  is  great  to  act  to  them. 

September  liith. — Rose  in  very  good  time,  and  wrote  an  answer 
to  Lord  Dudley  Stuart's  application,  excusing  myself  from  playing 
at  the  Haymarket,  and  enclosing  a  cheque  for  £5,  Was  very  anxious 
to  act  Hamlet  well ;  really  tried  to  do  my  duty ;  began  well,  spoke  the 
first  speech  to  the  Queen  excellently  well — as  I  proceeded,  I  fancied 
I  had  reason  to  complain  of  the  coldness  of  the  audience,  and  the 
neglect  of  the  actors — perhaps  my  own  inefficiency  was  the  real  cause 
of  blame,  and  yet  I  did  some  things  certainly  very  well ;  the  soliloquies, 
the  play,  with  the  players,  part  of  the  closet,  etc.,  but  the  audience 
were  by  no  means  enthusiastic.     I  suppose  the  fault  was  in  myself. 

September  15th. — Acted  Melantius — partially  well,  certainly  not 
to  my  own  satisfaction  throughout.  The  audience  were  unusually 
sympathetic,  and  the  play  was  said  to  have  gone  well.  After  the 
terrible  moral  of  the  play,  in  which  she  had  just  been  acting  for  the 

first  time,  Miss preferred  coming  to  my  room — rather  than  receive 

me  in  hers,  because  she  knew  in  hers  some  one  would  be  present.  It 
seems  a  weakness  in  her,  an  unconsciousness  of  wrong — yet  what  does 
she  propose  to  herself?  Is  it  that  she  does  not  know,  or  does  not  set 
the  due  estimation  on  the  worth  of  character?  Does  she  think?  or 
does  she  only  feel — and  obey  a  feeling  ?  What  a  world  this  is !  And 
how  little  of  it  beyond  its  thin  surface  do  those  in  it  know  of  it ! 

September  16th. — ^The  uncomfortable  position  in  which  I  am 
placed  with  this  girl  disturbed  me,  but  I  came  to  the  resolution  of  not 
allowing  myself  to  suffer  from  my  own  vanity  or  weakness.  I  really 
like  her  much  as  a  friend,  and  I  will  be  a  friend  to  her-     Gave  Miss 

the  part  of  Clothilde  in  the  Novice.     She  told  me  that  she  had 

not  been  to  see  her  sister,  and  that  she  had  expected  me  to  call  in  the 
afternoon !  She  had  no  grounds  for  doing  so.  Looked  over  the  play 
of  Wives  as  They  Were. 

Semptember  llth. — Lardner  detailed  the  history  of  Babbage's 
quarrel  with  Government  about  his  calculating  machine.  It  seems 
Government  assisted  him  with   funds  to  the  amount  of  £15,000  to 

409 


THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1887 

jE16,000  for  the  construction  of  the  first,  which  he  relinquished,  and 
for  a  second,  an  improvement  on  the  first,  which  he  discontinued, 
because  Government  had  not  given  him  the  distinction  and  reward  to 
which  he  thought  himself  entitled.     Government   said,  "  Finish   the 

work,  and  then "  but  he  said  to  his  friends  that  he  ought  not  to 

be  kept  waiting  till  he  was  old,  but  should  be  remunerated  now !  He 
has  subsequently  discovered  a  still  further  improvement,  and  leaves 
the  second  (No.  2)  machine  to  Government — desiring  to  make  a  fresh 
bargain  with  them  for  No.  3.  Professor  Airey  ^  says  the  thing  is  a 
humbug ;  other  scientific  men  say  directly  the  contrary. 

September  18th. — Went  to  call  on  Miss ,  who,  I  hope,  would 

not  have  returned  from  Wavertree,  but  she  was  at  home.  I  received 
the  book  of  Foscari  from  her,  and  she  decided  on  the  character  of 
Mariana  in  preference  to  that  of  Isabella,  Measure  for  Measure.  She 
told  me  that  she  had  made  up  her  mind  not  to  be  disappointed  in 
travelling  to  town  with  me,  so  that  I  had  no  alternative — not  that  I 
had  even  expected  she  would  change  her  mind.  I  cannot  aflfect  or 
doubt  as  to  her  affection  for  me.  She  must  either  love  me,  or  be 
one  of  the  most  extraordinary  and  senseless  deceivers  that  ever  existed. 
I  would  to  God  it  were  not  so,  or  that  I  could  believe  it  not  so. 

September  19th. — Miss  did  not  like  to  say  she  would  act 

Hester  in  To  Marry ,  and  feared  she  had  incurred  blame  by  taking 
Miss  Dorrillon,  from  which  I  relieved  her  at  once.  I  sent  in  a  note 
afterwards,  requiring  a  Yes  or  No  answer  to  the  part  of  the  Novice. 
She  wrote  back  very  affectionately  and  promptly  "Yes."  Finished 
copying  the  address.     A  little  of  Hamlet. 

September  9,0th. — Acted  Ion  very  languidly  indeed ;  occupation 
through  the  day  is  scarcely  compatible  with  a  really  successful  perform- 
ance. The  nerves  and  spirits  cannot  keep  their  tone.  How  strange 
are  the  thoughts  that  pass  through  one's  brain,  when  acting  without 
being  possessed  by  the  character.  I  was  looking  at  the  Adrastus,  and 
thinking  to  myself  was  it  the  proper  business  of  a  human  being,  with 
the  "  god-like  qualities  "  peculiar  to  him,  to  expend  his  life  in  repeating 
parts  of  plays,  and  trying  to  represent  human  passions.  How  I  felt 
the  low  condition  of  a  player  I     And  when  we  know  what  these  players 

are,  oh  God !     Worked  at  Talfourd's  address.     Miss  declined 

Hester  in  To  Marry  or  Not,  also  refused  to  act  Emma  in  William  Tell 
for  me. 

*  George  Biddell  Airey  (1801-1892);  F.R.S.,  K.C.B.;  Astronomer-Royal  from  185610 
1881. 

410 


1837]  THE  DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

September  StSind. — Letter  from  Bartley;  the  defection  of  Warde, 

and  the  envious  malice  of  that  reptile leaves  us  in  a  very  serious 

dilemma,  but  I  feel  strong  in  myself,  and  my  hope  and  reliance  is  on 
the  goodness  of  God  to  protect  me.  And  yet,  as  I  write  this,  am  I 
not  conscious  of  thoughts  in  my  heart  which  are  evil  ?  Oh,  man ! 
man !     Let  me  hope  that  I  shall  root  them  out. 

September  24t/i. — Forster  and  Talfourd  came  in,  and  they  were 
all  against  me  on  the  subject  of  the  pit  tickets,  but  I  heard  no  reasons 
against  it,  and  would  not  yield,  till  Talfourd  suggested  the  possibility 
of  a  row  on  the  first  night.  This  decided  me,  and  I  resolved  to  leave 
the  question  for  the  first  two  or  three  weeks,  and  endeavour  to  bring 
it  on  afterwards.  The  address,  prices,  etc.,  Waldron,  many  matters 
were  discussed  and  settled.  Robertson  told  me  that  Sir  H.  Wheatley 
had,  on  the  part  of  the  Queen,  expressed  a  wish  that  the  price  of  her 
box  should  be  reduced  from  £400  to  £350.  If  this  be  Royal 
Patronage,  commend  me  to  popular  favour !  Patronage  to  a  declining 
art! 

September  26th. — Forster  called  to  inquire  if  I  would  advance 
Knowles  money  on  the  new  tragedy  he  was  going  to  write.  I  said, 
**  Let  me  know  his  subject  and  his  confidence  in  the  treatment,  and 
then  the  matter  will  wear  a  face  of  business." 

September  21th. — Going  out,  called  at  the  Morning  Herald,  Morn- 
ing Post,  Chronicle,  Spectator,  Globe,  Sun,  True  Sun,  Courier, 
Athenaeum.  Saw  editors  of  the  Post  and  Courier,  and  explaining  to 
them  my  motives  in  taking  the  theatre,  hoped  that  the  undertaking 
would  have  the  support  of  the  papers ;  they  were  most  courteous. 

September  2Sth. — After  dinner  went  to  look  at  my  blessed  children, 
as  they  slept,  blessed  them,  and  in  the  hope  which  my  heart  in  silence 
lifted  up  to  God  that  He  would  bless  them,  and  me  for  them,  I  went 
out  to  the  theatre.  Still  upon  the  address.  Was  very  much  pleased 
with  the  appearance  of  the  theatre — it  looked  very  elegant ;  spoke  on 
several  points  and  gave  directions.  Conferred  with  Knowles  and 
Forster  on  the  terms  for  his  plays ;  Knowles  agreed  upon  those  terms  to 
give  me  the  refusal  of  all  his  plays.  This  in  the  presence  of  Bartley, 
Robertson  and  Forster.     It  was  a  clear  understanding. 

September  29th. — Called  on  H.  Smith  on  my  way  to  Mr.  Delane  * 
of  the  Times,  who  in  Mr.  Barnes's  absence  had  answered  my  note  to 
him.     Called  at  the  Times  office — that  mighty  cauldron  or  vomitory 

^  Father  of  John  Thadeus  Delane  (1817-1879),  the  famous  editor  of  the  Times  from  1841 
to  1877. 

4" 


THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY  [1837 

of  ill — and  good  I  Was  directed  to  Mr.  Delane's  house ;  saw  him ; 
my  pride  had  been  hurt  by  Mr.  Barnes  not  answering  my  letter,  but 
I  determined  to  act  for  the  causCf  not  for  myself.  Found  Mr.  Delane 
very  civil,  and,  mentioning  the  object  of  my  call,  settling  matters  of 
advertisements,  and  giving  imlimited  leave  of  orders,  I  left  him, 
satisfied  in  having  called. 

September  SOth. — When  I  am  actor  I  must  forget  that  I  am 
manager.  Covent  Garden  theatre  opens.  Before  coming  down  I 
prayed  from  my  heart  to  Almighty  God,  imploring  His  mercy  upon 
me  in  the  effort,  which  this  day  begins,  and  in  what  so  much  of  good 
or  evil  to  my  beloved  family  is  involved.  When  I  was  going  into  the 
coach  it  was  like  the  setting  out  upon  a  long  journey  (may  it  be  a 
pleasant  one !).  I  kissed  my  dear  children,  and  bade  adieu  to  my  home 
with  a  heart  full  to  overflowing.  Repeated  the  address  on  my  way, 
and  entered  the  theatre  with  an  invocation  of  God's  blessing  on  me. 
Rehearsed  the  play,^  and  attended  to  the  various  claims  on  my  notice ; 
received  many  letters  of  acknowledgment  for  the  freedom  of  the  theatre. 
Took  every  occasion  of  repeating  the  address.  Bartley  and  Robertson 
came  into  my  room  with  a  slip  from  one  of  the  newspapers  of  an  address 
to  the  public  by  that  reptile,  Mr.  Bunn ;  it  was  meant  as  an  answer  or 
comment  upon  mine.  I  thought  it  inconsiderate  in  Bartley  to  pester 
me  with  such  a  thing  at  such  a  time,  and  gave  as  little  attention  to  it 
as  I  could ;  it  simply  left  the  notion  with  me  of  being  an  ebullition  of 
temper  from  such  a  person !  I  thought  little  of  it.  It  consumed 
some  time  to  arrange  my  dresses,  etc.,  and  when  this  was  done  I  lay 
down  in  bed.  Repeatedly  went  over  my  address,  and  also  read  over 
the  first  scene  of  Leontes.  Dressed  and,  being  called  to  the  address, 
went  and  found  the  overture  only  just  begun.  Much  agitated,  the 
thought  of  the  Rubicon-like  plunge  I  was  about  to  make  and  my  home 
came  upon  me  and  affected  me  for  a  moment.  When  I  went  on  the 
stage  the  enthusiasm  of  the  audience  was  very  great ;  I  began  my 
address  with  tolerable  composure,  but  in  the  last  part  of  it  I  stopped — 
it  was  a  pause  of  about  half  a  minute — but,  in  agony  of  feeling,  longer 
than  time  can  measure ;  I  recovered  myself,  and  tripped  slightly  again 
before  the  conclusion  of  the  address.     Mr.  Vining  came  to  speak  to 

^  Covent  Garden  opened  under  Macready's  management  with  /4  Winter's  Tale  and  A 
Roland  for  an  Oliver.  Boxes,  5^.,  second  price,  2.r.  (yd.  ;  pit,  2s,  (yd.,  second  price,  u.  6</.  ; 
lower  gallery,  is.  6d.,  second  price,  \s.  ;  upper  gallery,  is.,  second  price,  6d.  Second  price 
at  the  end  of  the  third  act  of  plays,  and  the  second  of  operas.  Stage  director,  Mr.  Willmott ; 
musical  director,  Mr.  G.  H.  Rodwell ;  acting  manager,  Mr.  Bartley  {ncle  by  Sir  F. 
Pollock). 

412 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

me  as  I  was  going  on  the  stage,  but  I  put  him  away.  Acted  Leontes 
artist-Uke  but  not,  until  the  last  act,  very  effectively.  Was  called  on 
to  give  out,  which  I  did.  Fitzgerald,  Forster,  Procter,  Talfourd, 
Kenny  came  into  my  room ;  Talfourd  made  no  secret  of  his  authorship 
now — how  very  weak  he  is  on  these  points  of  vanity !  I  thought  it 
for  his  interest  not  to  avow  it,  but  he  left  me  a  discretionary  power 
to  publish  it  or  no,  as  I  might  deem  best  from  the  tone  of  the  papers 
respecting  it.  Forster  brought  D'Orsay  to  see  me,  with  that  old 
dihauchef  Lord  Allen.  Bartley  and  Robertson  also  came  in.  Sat  up 
late,  and  when  I  went  to  bed  slept  very  little. 

October  2nd. — Rose  in  good  time  and  tried  to  keep  my  thoughts 
on  Hamlet.  Went  in  coach  to  the  theatre,  and  arriving  there  spoke 
about  the  bad  delivery  of  the  bills.  Robertson  sank  my  spirits  very 
low  by  an  account  of  the  Times*  report  of  our  opening,  which  he 
represented  as  altogether  blame.  I  went  through  the  rehearsal  of  the 
play — taking  pains  with  it,  and  attending  to  other  business  as  it  fell 
out.  Among  other  letters  was  one — I  should  say  ruffianly,  if  intended, 
as   I   suspected,    to  convey  a   personal   menace — from   that   wretched 

profligate,  Mr.  .     Other  letters.     I  dined,  and  lay  down  in  bed. 

Very,  very  much  dejected.  Felt  myself  quite  unequal  to  perform. 
As  the  time  drew  near  I  rallied,  dressed.  Mr.  Brewster  failed  in  his 
appointment ;  I  would  not  let  it  annoy  me,  but  went  on,  determined 
to  do  my  best.  I  acted  the  greater  part  of  Hamlet  in  my  best  manner ; 
and  the  play  was  put  beautifully  on  the  stage.  The  audience  noticed 
with  applause  several  of  the  improvements. 

October  5th, — Called  on  Mr.   Dilke;^   saw  Mr.  D ,  junior,^ 

talked  with  him  upon  the  "  splenetic  or  unscientific  "  invective  of  the 
Athenaeum  critic  upon  the  Bridal.  He  assured  me  that  there  was  no 
hostility  to  myself,  but  quite  a  contrary  sentiment  on  the  part  of  the 
critic ;  I  liked  his  frank  manner.  We  agreed  that  the  A  thenaeum 
orders  should  pass,  and  our  advertisements  be  inserted  gratuitously.  I 
left  him  seemingly  well  pleased.  Sent  freedom  of  theatre  to  Rogers — 
with  note.  Lay  down,  very  much  tired,  for  about  three  quarters  of 
an  hour.  A  bad  headache.  Acted  Leontes — feebly,  but  with  care; 
spoke  to  Miss  Huddart  about  her  acting,  on  which  subject  I  feel  appre- 
hension  and   concern.     Was   called   for   feebly — gave   out   the   play. 

*  Charles  Wentworth  Dilke  (1789-1864);  editor  and  critic  ;  was  long  connected  wilh  the 
Athenceuni. 

*  Charles  Wentworth  Dilke,  jun.  (1820- 1869);  son  of  the  above.     Created  a  baronet; 
father  of  the  laie  Sir  C.  W.  Dilke,  Bart.,  the  Liberal  statesman. 


THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY         [1887 

The  house  was  very  respectable — ^most  satisfactory.  Saw  a  httle  of 
the  farce,  which  was  well  acted. 

October  6th. — Thought  on  the  business  of  the  theatre  as  I  awoke 
and  dressed.  Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  arrived  at  a  little  before 
ten,  applied  to  business,  reading,  and  answering  letters.  Rehearsed 
the  Bridal,  and  took  much  pains  with  Mr.  Anderson.  The  Messrs. 
Dilke  called,  and  went  over  the  affair  of  the  Athenxuvi  criticism, 
speaking  with  great  candour  and  good-nature,  endeavouring  to  palliate 
the  false  statement  of  the  BridaVs  "  want  of  attraction,"  and  coming 
to  a  very  amicable,  agreeable  arrangement,  as  settled  yesterday, 
respecting  the  interchange  of  orders  for  advertisements.  Parted  very 
good  friends.  Mr.  Fisher  called  and  told  me  he  had  bailed  Mr.  Warde, 
who  he  hoped  would  be  out  to-morrow,  and  that  the  money  required 
would  be — the  round  sum — <£100.  Superintended  the  rehearsal  of  two 
acts  of  the  Novice,  which  occupied  me  till  past  four,  took  all  pains  with 
it.  Had  promised  Miss  Taylor  a  new  wig,  and  sent  for  Brewster  to 
measure  her  for  it,  which  he  did.  Received  a  note  from  Faraday  * 
abjuring  his  claim  to  knighthood,  thanking  me  for  the  card  of  admis- 
sion, but  returning  it  on  account  of  the  '*  Sir  " ;  answered  him  and 
sent  him  a  corrected  card.  Sent  note  and  cards  of  admission  to 
Milman,^  his  wife,  and  friend.^  Wrote  notes  to  Messrs.  Willmott  and 
Meadows  with  additions  of  one  pound  per  week  each  to  their  salaries. 
Acknowledged  Murray's  present  of  Lord  Byron's  works. 

October  Ith. — Arose  reluctantly,  feeling  indisposed  from  the- very 
indifferent  night  I  had  had.  Went  to  the  theatre — and  applied  myself 
to  business.  Bartley  came  to  speak  about  Warde,  whose  solicitors 
had  gone  out  of  town,  and  in  their  place  a  friend  and  relation  appeared 
whom  I  did  not  know  how  to  trust.  Sent  Bartley  with  cheque  to 
settle  the  various  matters.  Miss  Huddart,  who  had  asked  to  see  me, 
now  told  me  that  Mr.  Abbot  (a  .  .  .  attorney !)  had,  on  hearing  of 
Warde's  approaching  release,  said,  "I  think  I'll  let  him  play  on 
Monday  night  " — adding  that  he  had  a  writ  against  him.  I  sent  for 
Bartley,  and  it  became  a  question  whether  the  money  should  be  risked 
or  no ;  the  question  to  me  was  whether  the  money  should  be  risked,  or 

•  Michael  Faraday  (1791-1867);  the  celebrated  scientist.  He  died  without  having  even 
received  the  offer  of  a  knighthood,  much  to  the  discredit  of  the  various  Governments  of  his 
time. 

•  Henry  Hart  Milman  (1791-1866);  afterwards  the  well-known  Dean  of  St.  Paul's.  His 
drama  Fazw  (produced  in  181 5)  had,  with  other  dramatic  pieces,  already  gained  him  con- 
siderable reputation. 

•  Under  Macready's  managements  free  admissions  were  sent  by  him  to  persons  dis- 
tinguished in  science,  art,  and  literature  {noie  by  Sir  F.  Pollock). 

414 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

the  season.  I  did  not  long  hesitate,  and  gave  the  word  for  his  release, 
and  despatched  Bartley ;  the  matter  superintended  by  one  of  White 
and  Whitmore's  clerks  occupied  the  whole  day,  and  I  had  several 
communications  on  it.  Meantime  rehearsed  the  Bridal.  Felt  much 
obliged  to  Miss  Huddart  for  her  kindness  and  friendship.  Lay  down, 
not  well.  Various  notes — one  from  Meadows,  another  from  Willmott, 
expressive  of  their  gratitude  for  my  addition  to  their  salaries.  Acted 
Melantius  pretty  well.  Kenny  was  in  my  room,  whilst  dressing,  and 
he  told  me  that  Planche  "  had  been  inveighing  most  warmly  against 
his  erasion  from  the  Free  List,  saying  that  he  had  written  one  act  of 
a  play  for  the  theatre,  which  had  been  submitted  to  me  and  Mr. 
Bartley — a  falsehood.  Called  on  after  the  play,  and  gave  out  the 
three  next  nights.  Mr.  Anderson  was  also  called  forward,  of  which  I 
was  very  glad.  Kenny,  Talfourd,  Wallace,  Forster  and  Robertson 
came  into  my  room.  Warde  also,  who  expressed  himself  very  grateful 
for  his  liberation,  and  for  the  manner  in  which  it  was  done. 

October  Sth. — Rose  at  a  late  hour  after  a  sleepless  night,  but 
before  I  got  up  read  over  a  one-act  piece  by  Haynes!  Bay  ley,  a  very 
milk-and-water  production.  Read  over  a  notice  in  the  Atlas^  which 
seemed  reluctant  to  be  kind  and  yet  unwilling  to  compromise  its 
character.  I  did  not  like  it,  but  got  one  or  two  hints  from  it ;  fas  est 
et  ab  hoste  doceri.  Wrote  note  to  Talfourd,  excusing  myself  from 
dinner.  Wallace  called.  I  proposed  to  him  the  publication  in 
pamphlet  of  Forster 's  notice  in  this  day's  Examiner.  After  some 
consideration  he  assented  to  the  idea. 

October  9th. — Among  notes  received  one,  very  kindly  written, 
from  Rogers.^  Lay  down,  and  glad  to  do  so,  in  bed.  My  mind  a 
good  deal  excited,  but  I  acted  Hamlet  pretty  well.  My  self-possession 
returns  to  me  in  a  surprising  way.  Kenny,  H.  Smith,  Wallace,  and 
Forster  came  into  my  room.  I  spoke  to  the  latter  about  the  article  in 
the  Examiner  being  reprinted  in  a  pamphlet  form.  The  house  falling 
off  in  the  half-price,  decided,  with  my  council,  on  putting  up  Othello 
for  next  Monday. 

October  10th. — Rose,  after  a  night  of  very  little  sleep,  in  which  I 
thought  of  Othello,  at  an  early  hour,  and  reached  the  theatre  by  nine 
o'clock  ;  found  no  carpenter,  in  fact,  no  workmen  there  I  Received 
a  very  civil  acknowledgment  of  his  card  from  Milman.  W^rote  eight 
notes  or  letters,  and  then  gave  myself  entirely  to  the  rehearsal  of  the 

^  The  veteran  "banker-poet"  (1763-1855).     His  poem,  the  Pleasures  of  Memory,  was 
published  the  year  before  Macready  was  bom. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

play  of  the  Novice;  ^  took  great  pains  in  endeavouring  to  infuse  a 
spirit  into  the  actors  engaged  in  it.  Settled  the  cast  of  Othello  with 
Mr.  Hartley  for  the  Duke,  as  an  example  to  the  other  actors,  and  to 
show  the  public  that  there  would  be  no  impediments  to  the  best  possible 
disposition  of  the  characters  in  a  play.  Looked  over  papers  and  dined 
at  the  Garrick  Club,  saw  only  disagreeable  and  most  vulgar  persons 
there.    Forster  had  taken  a  note  home  for  me  to  say  I  should  not  dine 

there.     Miss had  begun  to  talk  to  me  in  a  way  that  inclines  me 

to  waver  in  my  opinion  of  her  constancy  or  sincerity.  We  shall  see  I 
Attended  a  night  rehearsal  of  the  Novice,  in  which  all  did  their  best. 
Forster  was  there.     Came  home  and  cut  the  play  of  the  Novice. 

October  11th. — Rose  much  fatigued.  Went  to  the  theatre.  Letters 
from  a  French  pantomimist,  wishing  to  represent  animals  and  a  fly ! 
Attended  the  rehearsal  of  the  Novice.  Spoke  to  Sloman  about  his 
men ;  not  satisfied  with  the  state  of  the  accounts,  nor  with  the  vigilance 
of  Robertson.  The  play  of  the  Novice,  which  if  acted  well  in  the  part 
of  Carolstadt  would  have  been  most  effective,  was  marred  and  almost 
ruined  by  the  ineflSciency  of  Mr.  Vining.  It  escaped,  but  will  do  no 
good.  Forster,  Talfourd,  Wallace,  etc.,  came  into  my  room.  The 
house  was  wretched. 

October  12th. — Rose  rather  tired,  and  went  to  the  theatre  as  soon  as 
I  could.  Summoned  a  rehearsal  of  the  Novice.  Wrote  answers  to 
Mr.  Home  and  a  person  who  wrote  very  kindly  to  wish  me  success. 
Sent  a  note  to  Miss  Faucit  to  come  to  rehearsal  or  send  her  part. 
Searched  for  plays  and  afterpieces.  At  twelve  o'clock  went  out  to  call 
on  Liston  at  Brompton ;  saw  and  sat  with  him  some  time.  He  said  he 
should  never  act  again,  and  I  certainly  think  he  never  will.  He  seems 
to  be  breaking  up.  I  left  him  with  an  expression  that  he  had  carte- 
blanche  from  me.  Returning  to  the  theatre,  took  the  book  of  the 
Novice,  and  went  over  the  play  with  the  actors,  cutting  their  parts  and 
arranging  all  for  a  rehearsal  to-morrow.  I  lay  down  about  half-past 
three,  and  rested  most  comfortably  till  half-past  five,  thinking  over 
some  part  of  Melantius,  which  I  acted  very  fairly.  Was  called  for, 
and  very  enthusiastically  received  by  the  audience.  Talfourd,  Forster, 
and  Bartley  came  into  my  room. 

October  ISth. — Went  to  the  theatre,  and  sent  for  Robertson  to 
speak  about  the  accounts.  Mentioned  the  fact  of  the  bills  I  had  twice 
before  spoken  of  being  continued  despite  of  my  complaints.  Sent  for 
Mr.  Harris — he  began  again  to  talk  ;  I  checked  him,  and  told  him  it  was 

^  A  translation,  attributed  to  W.  Dimond. 
416 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

merely  a  question  of  business ;  he  was  inclined  to  be  impertinent,  as 
often  idle  persons  are  to  liide  their  own  faults.  My  dresser  thought 
he  could  undertake  the  office  of  regulating  the  coals  and  candles  for 
twelve  shillings,  which  saves  me  at  once  eighteen  shillings  per  week. 
Went  over  Bradwell's  account  with  Willmott  and  Robertson ;  the 
latter  is  not  the  man  for  such  a  duty  in  such  a  time ;  he  is  one  of 
those  on  "Lethe's  Wharf."  A  letter  from  Mr.  Phillips  to  Hartley, 
refusing  to  act  Rashley  in  to-morrow  night's  bill,  threw  us  into  embar- 
rassment. This  fellow,  who  never  attracts  individually  one  sixpence, 
will  now  receive  a  week's  salary — £35 — for  playing  in  one  farce — and 
perhaps  not  that.  Miss  Shirreff  was  affecting  nerves  and  hysterics,  and 
to  pacify  her  I  was  obliged  to  change  Artaxerxes,  announced  for 
Tuesday.  So  much  for  these  knavish  singers.  Went  over  the  Novice 
in  the  saloon.  Messrs.  Paine,  of  the  Morning  GazettCy  called  for 
advertisements  and  orders.  Bagnall  called  for  an  engagement ;  I  heard 
him  speak  and  dismissed  him  civilly.  Wrote  several  notes.  Spoke 
with  Head  about  Othello's  dresses.  Coming  home,  tried  to  read  an 
adaptation  of  Volpone,  but  fell  asleep,  overpowered  with  fatigue  of 
mind  and  body.  Went  to  theatre  after  dinner  with  Catherine  and 
Letitia.  Saw  the  Novice,  which  is  destroyed  by  the  stupid,  unmeaning 
and  tedious  recitation  of  Mr.  Vining.  Spoke  to  Miss  Faucit  about 
her  illness. 

October  IMh. — Very  tired  when  I  arose.  Went  to  the  theatre,  and 
found  that  the  play  of  Othello  was  in  course  of  rehearsal — attended  to 
it.  Transacted  business  of  various  sorts ;  wrote  answers  to  letters. 
Talked  over  several  matters  with  Kenney.  A  note  from  Mr.  Phillips — 
inquired  why  he  did  not  act  to-night.  The  cool  effrontery  of  this  man, 
who  picks  my  pockets  in  this  manner,  is  too  bad.  Mr.  Webster  called 
to  speak,  as  he  said,  about  Mr.  Phelps,  who,  it  appears,  has  received 

£10  per  week  from  him  (Mr.  W ),  and  given  in  a  protest  against 

the  same  being  a  precedent  for  his  engagement  with  me.  Wallace, 
Forster,  Talfourd  came  into  my  room.  The  latter  told  me  of  some 
abuse  of  himself  and  Forster  in  the  Age,  which  was  unimportant  except 
as  its  matter  testified  that  there  are  some  treacherous  persons  about 
the  theatre. 

October  15th. — Rose  with  feelings  of  heavy  weariness,  and,  coming 
downstairs,  gave  my  first  attention  to  my  domestic  accounts.  Then 
looked  at  the  theatrical  business  of  the  week.  It  is,  I  think,  this  week 
which  will  show  me  the  degree  of  hope  that  a  reasoning  man  may 
entertain  of  the  final  issue  of  my  enterprise.  The  impossibility  of 
VOL.  I.  E  E  4 1 7 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1887 

revoking  the  step  I  have  made  enforces  the  propriety  of  putting  a 
resolute  and  cheerful  face  upon  the  matter ;  and  though  I  go  forward 
with  very  little  hope,  yet  still  I  do  not  bate  much  of  heart  in  urging 
my  purpose  forward.  There  is  at  present  a  loss  upon  the  concern,  and 
this  is  beginning  early,  but  the  statements  laid  before  me  could  not 
be  accurate ;  and  though  I  do  not  think  that  Robertson  has  wilfully 
deceived  me,  yet  certainly  things  are  not  as  he  represented  them  to  be. 
Let  me,  however,  strenuously  persist  in  the  fulfilment  of  my  duty,  and 
put  my  trust  in  Almighty  God  to  protect  me  from  all  evil  consequences, 
and  to  guard  and  bless  my  beloved  family.  Wrote  notes  to  Bartley 
and  to  the  Sunday  Times  on  their  very  shameful  abuse  of  Talfourd 
upon  a  misconception.  Kenney  called,  and  sat  longer  than  I  wished, 
as  did  also  Wallace.  When  they  left  me,  I  turned  to  the  reading 
of  Othello,  upon  which  I  continued,  rather  drowsily,  till  dinner-time. 
After  dinner,  looked  over  the  newspaper,  and  was  shocked  by  the 
worship  which  the  base  wretches  of  this  world  are  transferring  from 
their  God  to  a  girl  of  eighteen,  whom  they  choose  to  call  a  Queen  1 
They  haunt  her  path,  and  receive  (and  to  the  equal  shame  of  the  other 
party,  are  given)  tickets  to  have  entrance  to  the  chapel  on  Sunday 
where  she  is  supposed  to  pray.  Mighty  Heaven  I  how  long  is  folly  and 
impiety  like  this  to  be  triumphant  on  earth  ?  Read  Othello  the 
remainder  of  the  evening.     Read  prayers  to  the  family. 

October  16th. — Attended  to  what  business  I  could ;  just  before  I 
lay  down,  Mr.  Anderson  came  to  inform  me  that  he  had  received  from 
an  agent  of  Drury  Lane  an  offer,  which  I  afterwards  heard  was  *  double 
his  present  salary,  to  act  what  he  pleased,  and  to  play  a  new  part  in 
a  play  which  the  author  would  only  consent  to  his  performing.'  Mr. 
Bunn  is  certainly  an  honest  man,  and  his  friends  are  honest  men.  Lay 
down,  and  tried  to  think  over  Othello.  Very  much  dissatisfied  with 
my  own  performance  of  the  part  of  Othello,  very  much  indeed.  I  can 
scarcely  tell  why  I  was  so  heavy  and  cold,  except  that  the  fatigues  of 
management  are  beginning  to  tell  upon  my  acting.  The  Council  of 
Forty  was  a  scene  of  beautiful  effect,  one  of  the  most  real  things  I 
ever  saw.  Talfourd  and  Browning  came  into  my  room  ;  the  former 
asked  me  if  I  had  seen  the  Age.  Mr.  Phelps  called,  but  I  did  not 
see  him. 

October  l'7th. — Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  immediately  began 

on  business;  read  my  letters,  etc.,  and  went  upon  the  stage  to  look  at 

the  condition  of  the  new  melodrame ;  did  not  think  it  good,  and  was 

not  satisfied  with  the  acting ;  it  will  not  serve  us.     Signed  the  articles 

418 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF    MACREADY 

of  Messrs.  Bennett,  Leffler,  and  Anderson.  Faraday  called  and  sat  a 
short  time.  I  was  quite  glad  to  see  him.  Dined  at  the  Garrick  Club ; 
looked  at  the  papers,  not  one  of  which  noticed  the  mise  en  scene  of 
Othello  !  So  much  for  the  assistance  of  the  Press!  Spoke  to  Miss 
Faucit  about  Virginia;  she  promised  to  do  her  best.  Looked  over 
Serle's  melodrame.     The  house  was  wretched. 

October  ISth. — Went  to  theatre.  Miss  Huddart,  in  talking  to  me, 
showed  temper^  which  I  did  not  like  to  see.  Miss  Faucit  assented  to 
Virginia,  saying  that  her  mother  was  very  much  against  it,  etc.  Forster, 
Talfourd,  Dickens,  Kenney,  Bartley,  Robertson  and  Willmott  came 
into  my  room. 

October  19th. — Saw  Bartley  and  asked  him  his  opinion  of  our 
prospect ;  he  said  that  he  began  to  be  afraid  of  it. 

October  ^Qth. — Braced  up  my  nerves,  and  strengthened  my  mind 
to  look  cheerfully  in  the  face  of  the  fate  that  is  before  me.  The 
question  of  interest  has  now  ceased  entirely ;  it  is  now  a  point  of  char- 
acter— upon  that  I  am  resolved  to  stand,  and  be  consistent  not  only 
with  my  conduct,  but  with  my  thoughts.  The  hope  of  elevating  my 
art  is  now  lost  to  me,  but  I  will  do  my  utmost  to  protect  those  who 
have  confided  in  my  fortune,  and  devote  myself  to  that — I  hope — 
honourable  effort.  It  is  that  thought  and  resolution  that  keep  a  smile 
upon  my  face,  when  sorrow  and  foreboding  look  with  gloomy  pity  on 
me  from  almost  every  eye.  I  will  be  true  to  them  and  to  myself. 
May  God  assist  me !  Amen !  Went  to  theatre,  leaving  poor  Letty 
with  the  tears  in  her  eyes ;  it  seems  she  is  fretting  for  me,  but  that, 
though  kind,  is  unwise. 

October  21sf. — Went  to  theatre.  Rehearsed  Werner,  and  gave 
Robertson  a  cheque  for  £300  to  meet  the  week's  deficiencies.  Saw 
Elton  and  talked  with  him  on  business.  Bartley  brought  me  some 
casts  for  this  and  next  week,  which  I  looked  at,  but  felt  some  effort 
must  be  made.  I  spoke  with  Marshall,  who  has  quite  betrayed  his 
trust,  and  deceived  me.  Mr.  Rooke,  the  composer,  came  into  my 
room,  and  insisted  that  his  opera  could  not  be  done  for  three  weeks. 
We  had  a  long  altercation  ;  the  singers  were  sent  for ;  they  behaved 
very  well — for  singers  t — and  were  ready  to  make  an  effort  to  produce 
it  to  the  day  announced,  but  it  appeared  at  last  that  Mr.  Rooke  had 
not  the  music  ready  to  give  to  the  band  !  !  !  And  for  this  the  theatre 
loses  another  week  !  Looked  over  Werner — my  spirits,  body,  and  mind 
exhausted.  Anxious  to  play  well,  I  took  great  pains,  and  very  success- 
fully. I  touched  off  the  character  very  happ>ily,  and  quite  satisfied 
KE  2  419 


THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY  [1837 

myself.     I  was  called  for  and  very  enthusiastically  received.     Talfourd, 
Forster,  and  Wallace  came  into  my  room. 

October  22nd. — Came  down  at  eleven  o'clock  to  meet  Robertson, 
and  settle  my  amount  of  loss,  and  give  him  in  the  full  amount  of  what 
I  could  still  permit  him  to  count  upon.     My  banker's  account  stands — 

£    s.    d.        £      s.    d. 

Paid  in 3682    1     1 

Drawn 2734    9    4 

Balance  at  Ransom's  .  947  11    9 

Already  paid  on  account  of  Covent  Garden  623    14     0 
Making  myself  liable  for  the  remainder  of 

£1,000 376     6    0 

My  salary  to  be  returned       .         .         .         90     0    0 

466    6    0 

Leaving  in  at  Ransom's  an  available  surplus  of     .         .      £481    5    9 

October  2Srd. — Called  on  Stanfield,  taking  Letitia  and  Catherine 
with  me  on  their  way  to  Shoolbred's.  Asked  Stanfield  to  paint  me 
a  diorama  for  the  pantomime.  He  almost  promised,  and  in  the  kindest 
manner.  He  is  a  fine  creature.  Went  to  theatre,  where  of  course 
business  awaited  me.  Signed  engagement  with  Mr.  Howe.^  Business 
with  Robertson  and  Bartley,  who  went  down  on  a  message  to  the  Vice- 
Chamberlain's  Office,  and  brought  word  that  the  Queen  would  come 
to  the  theatre  in  November.  Agreed  with  Mr.  Phelps.  Cut  part  of  the 
Royal  Oak,^  which  I  think  will  make  a  decent  after-piece.  Lay  down, 
very  much  tired ;  fear  my  health  is  beginning  to  shake.  Acted  fairly 
to  a  very  Mnapplauding  audience.  Forster  and  Kenney  came  into  my 
room.  I  gave  Kenney  the  Royal  Oak  to  finish.  Sat  up  late.  The 
papers  are  almost  all  unfriendly  to  me.  So  much  more  probable  is  it 
that  my  cause  is  good,  and  that  I  am  honourable. 

October  24f/i. — C.  Duller  called,  and  stayed  with  me  some  time. 
He  mentioned  his  disappointment  in  my  Othello  not  being  more  tender, 
a  criticism  that  I  will  not  forget. 

October  25th. — Called  on  Stanfield,  whom  I  found  what  he  is  said 
to  be,  and  must  be  thought  to  be,  the  very  spirit  of  kindly  feeling. 
He  assented  to  my  request  and  promised  to  make  all   arrangements 

*  Henry  Howe  (1812-1896) ;  originally  Henry  Howe  Hutchinson,  the  well-known 
Haymarket  actor.  His  first  appearance  in  London  was  in  1834,  and  he  was  a  member  of 
Sir  H.   Irving's  American  Company  at  the  time  of  his  death,  sixty-two  years  later. 

»  By  W.  Dimond. 
420 


1837]  THE   DIARIES    OF   MACREADY 

with  me.     I  told  him  I  could  not  thank  him,  both  for  the  act  itself, 
and  its  moral  influence  on  the  undertaking  I  have  in  hand. 

October  ^6th. — Went  to  the  theatre,  and  applied  to  business. 
Looked  over  the  accounts  of  last  week.  Colonel  D'Aguilar  called, 
who  seemed — and  I  know  is — most  anxious  for  my  success.  My  success 
is  not  to  lose  my  principal.  Beyond  that  hope,  all  seems  visionary. 
A  kind  note  from  T.  Moore.  Went  over  business  of  the  pantomime 
with  Young.  Rehearsed  Pierre.  Miss  Faucit  wished  to  alter  her 
engagement,  but  I  did  not  think  it  necessary,  choosing  rather  to  rely 
on  her  word  than  on  any  obtained  advantage.  Confidence  is  generally, 
where  there  is  any  feeling,  the  strongest  bond. 

October  ^Ith. — As  I  begin  to  note  briefly  the  events  of  this  day, 
I  must  observe  that  it  is  the  most  disastrous  one  that  has  yet  occurred 
under  my  management.  I  have  been  tried  severely.  I  went  to  the 
theatre,  where  I  learnt  that  Mr.  Rooke's  opera  was  not  in  the  theatre ^ 
nor  could  be  on  the  day  it  was  announced  to  be  acted !  The  effect  on 
my  head  was  such  that  it  ached  all  day  after.  I  rehearsed  Pierre. 
Attended  as  well  as  I  could,  which  was  scarcely  at  all,  to  business. 
This  news  had  struck  me  down.  My  income  is  destroyed — my  mind 
tortured.  I  sat  down  for  a  few  minutes  overwhelmed.  I  saw  Mr. 
Haines,  who  shuffled  and  could  say  nothing.  I  would  not  see 
Mr.  Rooke,  or  I  should  have  told  him  my  opinion  of  him.  I  sent  Mr. 
Bartley,  etc.,  to  him.  He  and  Willmott,  after  a  long  absence,  returned 
to  say  that  "  perhaps  the  music  would  be  in  the  orchestra  on  Saturday, 
November  11th !  !  !  "  I  did  not  know  what  to  do  or  say.  I  lay  down 
for  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  and  prayed  to  God  to  tranquillize  and 
strengthen  my  mind.  I  acted  indifferently ;  was  called  for — on  account 
of  Mr.  Phelps,  I  suppose.  Kenney,  Wallace,  Jerdan,  Bartley,  and 
Robertson  came  into  my  room.     Passed  a  wretched  night. 

October  2Sth. — Went  to  theatre.  Acted  Werner  to  a  wretched^ 
wretched  house  as  well  as  I  could,  but  not  well.  I  spoke  with  Miss 
Faucit  after  the  play,  asked  her  to  play  the  part  in  the  new  drama  to 
oblige  me,  to  which  she  kindly  assented,  but  told  me  that  she  suffered 
much  at  home  for  it.  When  Robertson  heard  of  her  acquiescence,  he 
observed  that  "there  was  nothing  like  a  little  rational  conversation," 
to  which  I  assented.     She  is  a  kind,  good-hearted  girl. 

November  1st. — Browning  came  into  my  room,  Robertson,  etc. 
As  this  day  closes  I  begin  to  have  doubts  of  my  ability  to  rally.  I  fear 
"it  is  a  hopeless  struggle." 

November    2nd. — Uneasy    and    unhappy    thoughts.      I    begin    to 

421 


THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY  [1837 

despair,  but  I  hope  I  shall  not  despond.  The  hopelessness  of  the 
struggle,  unaided  by  the  Press,  and  thwarted  by  the  knavery  of  one 
and  the  indolence  of  another,  begins  to  weigh  upon  me.  Still,  I  bate 
nothing  of  resolution ;  I  will  do  all  I  ought  to  do.  I  only  fear  I  have 
already  done  much  more  than  I  should  have  done.  God  help  me  I  I 
murmur  at  His  dispensations  sometimes,  but  I  hope  and  pray  He  will 
forgive  my  ungrateful  forgetfulness  of  His  many  mercies.  Amen ! 
Rehearsed,  with  much  care,  Virginius.  At  half-past  four  tried  to 
snatch  a  little  sleep  in  my  chair.  Acted  Virginius  pretty  well  con- 
sidering that  I  had  no  time  to  read  it ;  was  called  on,  and  very  warmly 
received  by  the  audience.  Forster  came  into  my  room.  I  got  angry 
about  the  Press,  which  I  never  ought  to  do. 

November  Srd. — Thought  over  part  of  Macbeth  before  I  rose ;  went 
to  the  theatre.  Superintended  the  rehearsal  of  three  acts  of  Macbeth, 
which  was  not  satisfactorily  proceeding.  Sat  down  to  my  letters  and 
wrote  ten,  dining  on  my  daily  chop.  What  am  I  doing  all  this  for  ? 
What  is  to  be  my  recompense  ?  Indifference,  pity,  and,  from  some 
very  few,  respect ;  I  should  have  thought  of  this  before.  I  bear  up 
well  against  the  load  that  is  thrown  on  me,  but  I  cannot  long  up-bear  it. 

November  Mh. — Went  to  the  theatre.  Saw  the  Parole  of  Honour,^ 
which  was  more  than  once  in  jeopardy  from  bad  acting,  but  was 
eventually  very  well  received.  Thank  God !  Met  the  Committee  of 
the  Jewish  Charity,  and  discussed  with  them  the  subject  of  letting  the 
theatre.  Forster  and  Wallace  were  in  Catherine's  box,  Talfourd  came 
behind ;  Forster  told  me  of  the  abuse  of  the  newspapers,  and  that  the 
Times  had  a  paragraph  directing  public  attention  to  the  fact  that  at 
the  Olympic  old  pieces  were  produced  with  the  most  rigid  attention 
to  costume,  etc.,  "which  was  done  at  no  other  theatre." 

November  5th. — Much  tired  in  mind  and  body,  I  lay  late  in  bed 
revolving  Macbeth,  and  my  own  unthankful  labours.  Why  have  I 
done  this?  What  have  been  my  motives?  I  hoped  for  good,  but 
certainly  I  have  been  either  precipitate  or  far  too  confiding.  I  was  in 
low  spirits,  and  a  word  of  praise  in  the  newspapers  made  me  weak  and 
nervous.  A  Monsieur  I^asnes  sent  up  his  name — he  was  the  person 
who  first  gave  me  instruction  in  Italian  ;  lie  had  been  in  the  French 
Army  and  served  under  Napoleon.  He  was  then  a  handsome,  interest- 
ing young  man ;  he  looked  now  a  sort  of  person  that  one  would  expect 
to  see  in  the  farce  of  Victorine,  and  smelt  strong  of  drams.  He  asked 
me  for  Wallace's  address,  and  for  pecuniary  relief.     I  gave  him  five 

»  By  T.  S.  Serle. 
4.22 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

shillings.  Read  prayers  to  the  family.  Read  over  Macbeth,  which 
I  pray  to  God  I  may  perform  successfully.     Amen ! 

November  6th. — Went  to  rehearsal  of  Macbeth,  which  kept  me 
fully  employed  with  looking  after  dresses,  scenery,  etc.,  till  half-past 
three  o'clock.  I  had  not  even  time  to  open  the  notes  on  my  table,  but 
went  to  bed  for  a  short  hour.  Felt  rather  nervous  and  wearied,  but 
tried  my  best  to  act  Macbeth  well,  and  did  much  of  it  very  well^ — 
particularly  the  scene  before  the  banquet.  The  whole  play  was  very 
beautifully  put  upon  the  stage,  and  the  audience  seemed  to  appreciate 
it.  I  was  called  for,  and  very  enthusiastically  received.  I  heard  of 
the  complete  failure  of  the  melange  called  Caractacus  at  Drury  Lane 
theatre,  and  took  hope  and  heart  from  the  issues  of  both  experiments. 
I  had  drunk  much  wine,  and  was  very  vehement,  swearing  rather  loudly 
(unwise,  ungentlemanly  and  dangerous  passion !)  at  Mr.  Phelps  in  the 
fight.  Forster,  Browning,  Bulwer,  Wallace  and  H.  Reynolds  came 
into  my  room.  All  was  congratulation  and  earnest  hope.  I  went  to 
bed  very  late,  but  could  not  sleep  all  night. 

November  1th. — Arose  wearied  and  with  headache  ;  went  to  theatre, 
when  much  of  the  morning  was  talked  away ;  my  spirits  and  body  were 
equally  wearied.  Had  a  long  conversation  with  Mr.  Phelps,  to  whom 
I  sent  in  order  to  excuse  myself  for  my  last  night's  violence.  He  did 
not  take  offence  at  it.  /  too*  very  much  to  blame.  Serle  brought  more 
of  Joan  of  Arc,  which  I  do  not  so  well  like.  Found  so  wretched  a 
house  that  my  spirits  sunk  again.  I  fear  it  is  a  hopeless  cause,  or  that 
I  have  been  most  unfortunate  in  my  time  of  taking  up  its  defence. 

November  8th. — My  spirits  were  very  low,  and  I  could  draw  no 
hope  from  any  view  of  the  prospect  before  me ;  I  resolved,  however,  to 
meet  its  consequences  firmly ;  but  I  want  recruiting,  my  mind  and 
body  are  fatigued.  Acted  Virginius  languidly — could  not  rouse  myself. 
Was  called  for  and  went  forward.  Morton  wanted  me  to  defer  the 
opera.  I  told  him  I  would  close  the  theatre  if  it  was  not  done ;  he 
acquiesced  in  its  performance.  Saw  Jerdan  and  Mercer,  of  the  Globe. 
Told  them  how  much  I  had  been  disappointed  and  hurt  by  the  conduct 
of  the  Press. 

November  9th. — Walked  half-way  to  the  theatre,  and  found  a  general 
desertion.  Spoke  with  Marshall  and  Head  and  read  over  the  MS.  scenes 
which  Serle  brought  me,  with  which  I  was  pleased.  Went  to  the 
Garrick  Club,  where  I  looked  at  the  papers,  and  saw  Messrs.  Price, 
Fladgate,  Power,  to  whom  I  spoke  about  our  engagement,  and  several 
others.     Came  home,  Forster  called,  and  took  his  wine  with  us.     He 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

accompanied  me  to  the  theatre,  where,  to  my  surprise,  I  found  a  very 
good  house.  A  note  from  Miss  Faucit,  requesting  me  to  release  her 
from  the  farce  on  Monday  night,  with  which  I  complied. 

November  10th. — Hartley  came  to  tell  me  that  the  Queen  had  sent 
to  command  me  Friday  night.  I  acted  Hamlet  pretty  well.  After  the 
play  Sir  Harford  J.  Brydges  came  round  to  introduce  himself  to  me ; 
told  me  that  he  had  known  many  great  men,  but  never  known  a  greater 
than  myself!  Dii  immortales  !  What  greatness  I  Mr.  Vining  sent 
back  the  part  of  Gower  in  King  Henry  V,  which  made  me  very  angry. 
Mr.  Hullah  insisted  on  having  his  name  as  composer  put  in  the  bills ; 
but,  after  a  conversation  with  me,  wished  it  withdrawn.  Thought  of 
substituting  Marino  Faliero  for  The  Two  Foscari. 

November  11th. — Went  to  the  theatre  at  night  with  Catherine  to 
see  the  new  opera  of  Barbers  of  Balsora,  which  was  so  inefficiently  acted 
that  I  could  not  sit  to  see  it.  Went  to  Drury  Lane  theatre,  where  I 
saw  the  last  act  of  Caractacus — such  trash ;  such  an  exhibition  is  a 
disgrace  to  an  English  public ;  its  sufferance  and  stupidity  is  disgusting. 
The  opera  was  but  moderately  successful.  Went  with  Talfourd  and 
Forster  to  sup  at  the  Piazza.  Talfourd  recounted  to  me  the  plot  of 
his  new  tragedy ;  parted  from  Talfourd  in  the  New  Road  at  about 
one  o'clock. 

November  12t/i. — Resolved  on  advertising  no  change  of  price  on 
the  occasion  of  the  Queen's  visit.  Rose  very  late,  at  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon.  Bartley  called  to  inform  me  of  a  communication  from 
the  Lord  Chamberlain's  Office,  signifying  the  Queen's  command  that 
Werner  and  the  Irish  Ambassador  (with  Mr.  Power  from  the  Adelphi 
theatre)  should  be  acted  on  Friday  night.  After  dinner  attended  to 
my  accounts.  Wrote  to  Mr.  Martin,  Vice-Chamberlain,  to  Lord 
Conyngham  and  to  Stanfield.  Marked  Serle's  Joan.  Read  prayers  to 
the  famil)'.     Began  arrangement  of  Marino  Faliero. 

November  ISth. — Went  to  theatre,  and  superintended  the  re- 
hearsal of  the  new  farce  of  The  Original.  Received  a  note  from 
Mr.  Martin,  the  Vice-Chamberlain,  which  I  answered  in  the  strongest 
terms,  putting  before  him,  and  whomsoever  it  might  reach,  the  injury 
and  injustice  done  to  me  by  foisting  Mr.  Power  upon  me.  He  shortly 
afterwards  called,  and,  in  discussing  the  subject,  admitted  the  pre- 
judicial effect  that  such  a  partial  proceeding  would  have  upon  my 
arrangements.  Forster  gave  me  the  papers  of  the  Age;  and  Catherine 
suggested  the  retaining  Serjeant  W^ilde,^  which  I  will  do. 

*  Thomas  Wilde  (1782-1855);  afterwards  Lord  Truro.     Originally  an  attorney ;  one  of 
424 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

November  14t/i. — Thought  over,  and  did  what  I  could  to  imprint 
the  character  of  King  Henry  V  on  my  mind — taken  thus  by  surprise 
as  I  am  with  it.  Called  on  Stanfield,  and  settled  with  him  for  the 
painting  of  the  diorama.  Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  rehearsed 
King  Henry  V.  Saw  on  the  Drury  Lane  playbills  a  gross  allusion  to 
myself  for  announcing  Joan  of  Arc,  which  excited  a  great  deal  of 
laughter  through  the  theatre.  Transacted  business  with  many  persons 
— occupied  the  whole  morning.  Received  a  note  from  Mr.  Martin 
that  the  performances  would  be,  for  the  command,  Werner  and  Roland 
for  an  Oliver — was  much  gratified  to  learn  that  I  was  freed  from  this 
einbarras.  Sent  the  two  copies  of  the  Age  newspaper  to  White  and 
Whitmore  for  counsel's  opinion  as  to  libel.  Read  King  Henry  V. 
Acted  the  part  as  well  as  I  could ;  not  well,  for  I  was  not  prepared ; 
and  I  will  do  this  no  more.  Heard  from  Lord  Conyngham  that  he  had 
no  hand  in  recommending  Mr.  Power,  and  that  it  was  not  easy  to  alter 
the  first  proposal.  Understood  that  there  was  to  be  a  second  attack 
in  the  Drury  Lane  bills  to-morrow.     Let  them  be  so ! 

November  15th. — Sent  for  Jones — Edward's  tailor — to  measure  me 
for  a  Court  suit — a  livery  of  servility.  Came  home  to  dinner.  Returned 
to  theatre ;  answered  a  very  nice  note  from  Dickens.  Wrote  notes 
and  cards  of  invitation  for  Friday.  Home — very  tired  and  sleepy.  A 
most  delightful  letter  from  Bulwer. 

November  16th. — Mr.  Martin,  Vice-Chamberlain,  called  to  say  that 
the  farce  commanded  was  the  first  act  of  Fra  Diavolo,  and  that  '*  all 
was  right  "  about  the  matter  lately  agitated. 

November  11th. — My  morning  was  engrossed  by  the  needful  care 
and  arrangements  for  the  evening,  preparing  for  the  Queen's  reception, 
the  reception  of  our  own  visitors,  etc.,  my  dresses  for  the  night, 
etc.  Received  a  multitude  of  notes,  application  for  admission  behind 
the  scenes,  which  I  was  obliged  to  answer  as  I  could.  Among  the  rest. 
Lord  Augustus  FitzClarence  ^  wrote  to  request  admission.  I  sent  him 
a  card,  having  understood  that  he  was  not  the  rou6  who  frequented 
Drury  Lane.  Martin,  the  Vice-Chamberlain,  was  most  careful  in 
scrutinizing  all  particulars  as  to  the  Queen's  box,  rooms,  etc.  I  was 
quite  worn  out  and  lay  down,  desiring  no  more  notes  to  be  given  me 
till  the  next  morning.  I  could  not  help  thinking,  as  I  sat  dressed  for 
Werner,  waiting  for  my  call  and  listening  to  the  acclamations  of  the 


the  counsel  for  Queen  Caroline  at   her  trial.     Afterwards  successively  Solicitor-General, 
Attorney-General,   Lord  Chief  Justice  of  the  Common  Pleas,  and  Lord  Chancellor. 
^  One  of  the  natural  sons  of  William  IV  by  Mrs.  Jordan. 

425 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

audience  on  the  Queen's  arrival,  of  the  folly  and  impiety  of  thus 
pampering  and  spoiling  the  mind  of  one  human  being,  and  in  the  same 
act  debasing  those  of  millions.  There  was  a  great  tumult  arising  from 
the  overcrowded  state  of  the  pit,  a  great  number  were  lifted  over  the 
boxes  in  a  fainting  and  exhausted  state.  Mr.  Bartley  had  leave  from 
the  Queen  to  address  the  audience,  which  he  did,  tendering  the  price 
of  admission  to  those  who,  not  having  room,  might  wish  to  return. 
When  order  was  restored,  the  play  proceeded.  I  acted,  not  to  please 
myself ;  I  could  not  recover  my  self-possession.  The  Queen  sent  to  say 
she  expected  to  see  me  as  she  retired.  I  dressed  myself  in  full  dress 
and  went  with  Bartley  to  wait  on  her  as  she  retired.  Thanked  Lord 
Conyngham  for  his  kind  attention  to  my  request  about  Mr.  Power. 
The  ladies-in-waiting  and  the  officers,  etc.,  passed  through  the  room, 
and  at  length  the  Queen — a  very  pretty  little  girl — came.  Lord 
Conyngham  told  her  who  I  was.  She  smiled  and  bowed,  and  said  :  "  I 
am  very  much  obliged  to  you."  Pointed  me  out  to  the  Duchess  of 
Kent,  and  bowed  repeatedly  to  me.  I  went  home  with  Miss  Martineau 
and  Catherine,  very,  very  tired. 

November  18th. — Very  late  up — ^much  tired — went  to  the  theatre; 
on  my  way  continued  my  curtailment  of  Marino  Faliero.  Mr.  Fisher, 
Mr.  Warde's  solicitor,  called  to  announce  the  fact  that  the  money 
paid  for  him  was  quite  gone — that  he  had  not  kept  to  his  engage- 
ments of  paying  the  small  instalments  agreed  upon,  and  in  conse- 
quence could  not  now  appear — could  not  indeed  perform  on  Monday 
next.  There  was  no  hope.  Sent  for  Mr.  Vining,  who  very  meritori- 
ously consented,  without  murmur,  to  take  the  part  of  Malcolm. 
Employed  myself  on  arrangements — search  for  plays — occupied  till 
nearly  five;  then  went  to  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw  Barham, 
Murphy,  G.  Dance,  Jerdan.  Jerdan  and  I  walked  together  to  the 
Prince  of  Wales's  tavern,  where  a  party  were  assembled  to  dine  with 
Dickens,  on  the  completion  of  his  Pickwick  volume.  We  were  detained 
long  for  dinner,  but  the  day  was  interesting.  Ainsworth,  Forster, 
Lever,  Talfourd,  etc.,  were  there.  Talfourd  proposed  Dickens's  health 
in  a  very  good  speech,  and  Dickens  replied — under  strong  emotion — 
most  admirably.  Left  them  directly  that  ceremony  was  over.  At  the 
theatre  saw  Mr.  Ranger  and  endeavoured  to  open  a  negotiation  with 
him.  Miss  Faucit  wrote  to  ask  me  to  change  the  Parole  of  Honour 
from  Wednesday — after  the  Bridal — to  Tuesday.  I  reasoned  with  her, 
and  she  was  nearly  overcome  by  my  persuasion,  but  at  length  I  conceded 
the  point. 
426 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

November  19th. — Went  to  Talfourd's — met  Dickens,  Forster, 
Ainsworth,  Keating,  Hill,  etc.  Passed  rather  a  heavy  day.  Gave 
my  opinion  injudiciously  upon  some  actors — C.  Kemble,  etc.  Forster 
informed  me  that  Thackeray  had  inquired  of  him  to-day  the  reason 
why  Mr.  Price  so  violently  and  constantly  spoke  against  me !  Told 
Dickens  of  darling  Nina,  when  she  was  told  that  the  Queen  had 
spoken  to  me  on  Friday  night,  having  asked  me  if  I  told  her  "to  be 
kind  to  the  poor."  The  dear  child!  Just  reached  home  as  Letitia 
was  reading  prayers  to  the  servants. 

November  20th. — Went  to  theatre  for  the  rehearsal  of  Macbeth. 
Notes  and  letters.  Sloman  told  me  that  Mr.  Stanfield  had  heard  I  was 
going  to  close,  and  wished  him,  if  he  had  not  begun  the  diorama,  not 
to  do  so.  Stanfield  called,  as  he  said,  to  speak  to  me,  and  I  told  him 
what  I  had  heard.  He  admitted  it,  but  was  glad  to  hear  it  was  false. 
We  sent  for  Brad  well,  and  Stanfield  arranged  with  him  about  the 
engagement  of  an  assistant.  Mr.  Phelps  refused  the  part  of  Exeter — 
is  afraid  to  play  the  first  and  averse  to  take  the  second  characters.  I 
told  Bartley  to  tell  him  I  should  shut  the  theatre  if  he  did  not  play  it. 

November  9,1st. — Employed  through  the  day  in  cutting  Coriolanus. 
Sent  a  note  to  Miss  Faucit.     Thinking  of  Wonder  and  other  plays. 

Miss  F came  to  my  room  and  spoke  with  me  about  it.     She  seemed 

very  happy,  and  was  to  return  after  the  farce.  In  the  meantime  spoke 
with  Miss  Taylor  about  Flora  in  the  Wondery  thinking  to  flatter  her 
into  acquiescence.  It  really  annoyed  me  that  Miss  Taylor  refused  to 
accommodate  me,  and,  with  the  return  of  the  house,  I  scarcely  see  what 
is  to  be  done.  I  will  do  all  I  can,  and  then — God  help  me !  Amen ! 
Resolved  on  some  plays  for  the  ensuing  week. 

November  22nd. — At  the  theatre  I  found  another  amusing  para- 
graph in  the  Drury  Lane  bills,  noticing  "  the  disgraceful  scenes  that 
occurred  elsewhere."  The  ludicrous  abuse  of  this  wretched  ass  quite 
entertains  me — it  assisted  my  spirits. 

November  24t/i. — Acted  Werner  pretty  well.  Note,  enclosing  a 
squib — the  notice  of  a  publication,  the  Life  of  "J.  Forster,  the 
butcher-boy,"  *  etc.,  a  piece  of  ribaldry  of  Mr.  Bunn's  or  West- 
macott's — was  directed  to  "Mr.  Macready,"  another  to  "George 
Bartley,  Esq."!  Advised  Forster  as  to  his  conduct  with  regard  to 
the  dirty  fellows  he  lias  to  deal  with  him.  I^ord  Augustus  FitzClarence 
thanked  me  again  for  my  civility  to  him. 

November  ^5th. — Was  going  to  dine  at  the  Garrick   Club,   but 

*  In  reference  to  what  was  generally  believed  to  have  been  Forsler's  jiarcntagc. 

427 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

reflecting  that  I  might  take  cold  or  get  into  heat  with  some  of  the 
low  and  vulgar  frequenters  of  the  place,  I  ordered  my  chop,  etc.,  in 
my  room ;  attended  to  business  with  Head,  Griffiths,  etc.  Received 
a  note  from  Mrs.  Norton. 

November  911th. — Found  another  more  abusive  article  in  yesterday's 
Age,  which  I  sent  to  White  and  Whitmore.  Talfourd  and  Forster 
came  into  my  room.  We  spoke  of  the  Age^  and  Talfourd  seemed  to 
imply  that  it  was  very  uncertain  whether  I  could  obtain  redress,  but 
that  he  (who  had  merely  been  insulted)  would  proceed  criminally 
against  the  editor,  and  punish  him.  I  was  much  excited,  and  had 
drunk  some  wine,  and  was  a  good  deal  irritated  by  these  heartless  and 
selfish  observations,  and  I  broke  out  into  vehement  declamation  against 
the  fraud  of  law  terming  itself  a  means  of  justice.  I  was  quite  carried 
away  by  my  indignant  feelings. 

November  98th. — The  play  had  scarcely  begun  when  Robertson 
rushed  down  to  tell  me  that  some  persons  in  Mr.  Almond's  box  were 
making  a  disturbance,  and  had  been  twice  called  to  by  the  pit.  I 
hastened  up  to  the  box,  and  entering  it  said :  "  I  understand  this  box 
is  taken  by  a  person  of  the  name  of  Almond ;  the  conduct  of  the 
persons  here  has  twice  attracted  the  notice  of  the  audience.  I  beg 
you  to  understand  that  if  any  similar  outrage  occurs  I  shall  hold  Mr. 
Almond  responsible.  My  name  is  Mr.  Macready."  Joan  of  Arc 
succeeded  entirely.     Passed  a  disturbed  night. 

November  20th. — The  new  opera  was  rehearsed,  with  which  I  was 
very  much  dissatisfied.  The  composer  is  a  man  of  genius,  obstinate 
on  his  own  theories,  and  the  writer  is  a  conceited  fool.  Mr.  Moore, 
nephew  of  Moore  in  Bond  Street,  and  another  person  whose  name  I 
did  not  catch,  called  to  make  inquiry  or  ask  explanation  of  the  circum- 
stances about  the  private  box  on  Tuesday.  The  gentlemen  said  that 
the  ladies  had  stated  Mr.  Macready  to  have  behaved  in  a  very  ungentle- 
manly  manner.  I  observed  :  "  You  say  that  ladies  said  so,  and  there- 
fore I  can  only  answer  they  labour  under  a  complete  mistake ;  if  you 
tell  me  any  gentleman  says  so  I  will  give  the  assertion  the  flattest, 
most  direct  and  grossest  contradiction.  I  was  informed  by  Mr. 
Robertson,  etc.  I  went  into  the  box  and  said  exactly  the  words 
repeated  Tuesday,  November  28th.  If  this  is  ungentlemanly  I  cannot 
deny  it,  but  I  must  learn  the  language  of  a  gentleman  if  it  be  so. 
Had  I  acted  as  I  could  have  done,  I  might  have  ordered  the  police 
officer  on  the  stairs  to  have  turned  them  out."  They  stated  that 
Robertson  had  said  *  Mr.  Almond  was  a  blackguard.'  I  said  I  did 
428 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

not  know  that,  but  that  I  was  sure  he  said  so  under  strong  irritation, 
and  would  be  willing  to  admit  as  much,  which  he  did.  One  of  them 
observed  that  if  I  had  not  supposed  the  party  actuated  by  malicious 
feelings  towards  the  interests  of  the  theatre,  I  probably  would  have 
dealt  more  ceremoniously  with  them ;  I  said  no  doubt  I  should  have 
done  so.  This  seemed  quite  to  satisfy  them,  and  they  left  us  well- 
pleased.  Captain  Polhill  gave  me  positive  information  that  Bunn  was 
the  writer  of  the  libels  in  the  Age. 

December  2nd. — Went  to  theatre,  where  I  sat  for  some  time 
revolving  the  hopeless  condition  of  the  concern.  I  strove  to  calm  my 
spirits,  and  devise  the  best  means  of  meeting  and  winding  up  the  losses 
that  appear  hanging  over  me.  I  could  not  rally,  my  heart  had  quite 
sank  within  me. 

December  5th. — Dined  with  Forster,  with  whom  I  met  Procter. 
Went  to  Drury  Lane,  where  I  understood  the  Queen  came.  Went  over 
to  Co  vent  Garden,  where  I  was  rejoiced  to  see  a  very  respectable  house. 

December  6th. — Mr.  Martin  called  to  announce  the  Queen's  inten- 
tion of  coming  to-morrow  night,  and  went  with  me  to  look  at  her  box. 

December  Ith. — Whitmore  called  about  the  Age  prosecution.  He 
told  me  that  the  presumption  was  Mr.  Westmacott  would  do  battle; 
also  mentioned  that  from  a  false  registry  the  proprietors  of  the  Age 
were  liable  to  penalties  of  £50  for  every  publication  under  such  registra- 
tion. Whitmore  decided  on  issuing  the  writ  to-morrow  either  against 
Bunn  or  Westmacott  as  it  might  seem  best.  Mr.  Haynes,  editor  of 
the  Morning  Herald ^  called  and  I  had  a  long  explanation  with  him ; 
he  admitted  that  the  article  of  which  I  complained  was  unjustifiable, 
but  suggested  the  policy  of  avoiding  any  further  notice  of  it,  to  which 
I  acceded,  and  he  promised  that  he  would  do  his  utmost  to  alter  the 
tone  of  the  criticisms  for  the  future.  Went  to  the  theatre.  The 
Queen  had  just  arrived. 

December  Sth. — Rose  later  than  I  should  have  done.  Looked 
over  the  debate,  and  was  amused  with  the  farcical  failure  of  B.  Disraeli.^ 
A  note  from  Lane,  wishing  me  to  act  Adrastus.  Continued  the 
arrangement  of  Marino  Foliero.  Went  to  look  at  Drury  Lane — a 
better  house  than  I  could  have  wished  to  have  seen.  Read  Miss  Mit- 
ford's  play  of  Otto  of  Wittelsbach,  which  is  too  gloomy  and  heavy 
to  be  worth  acting. 

^  This  was  Disraeli's  memorable  maiden  speech  ;  thouj^h  it  was  generally  considered  a 
fiasco,  Shell  perceived  beneath  its  extravagance  and  absurdities  qualities  that  indicated 
oratorical  capacit)'. 

429 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

December  dth. — Again  later  in  rising,  which  is  attributable  to  the 
late  gossip  of  the  previous  nights.     Looked  over  the  debates  in  the 
newspapers.     Went  to  the  theatre;  at  the  box-office  saw  Robertson 
and  Bartley,  who  both  had  very  long  faces,  and  seemed  intent  on 
some  prophetic  moans ;  but  I  only  put  on  a  more  cheerful  face  when 
Robertson  told  me,  despite  the  receipt  of  the  week  which  has  not 
been  bad,  that  he  must  draw  upon  me ;  here  I  accuse  him  for  not 
correctly  representing  the  probable  expenses.     I  do  feel  that  I  have 
been  decoyed  into  this  business,  but  I  will  bear  myself  well  through  it. 
Suggested  to  Messrs.  Young,  Bradwell,  and  Willmott  the  expediency 
of  having  the  interior  of  Guildhall,  and  changing  it  to  the  view  of 
Ludgate  Hill  illuminated.     My  object  is   to  meet  the  Drury  Lane 
effort,  and  in  a  different  way.     I  think  it  is  well  conceived.      Went 
to  hear  the  pantomime  read.     Robertson  came  to  my  room.     Power 
called  and  brought  his  piece  of  Quentin  Durward^  taking  away  with  him 
Kenney's  comedy.    He  spoke  very  confidently  of  the  final  success  of  my 
management,  but  then  he  has  an  interest  in  its  success.    Forster  took 
with  him  Miss  Mitford's  play  of  Otto.     Mr.   Ebers  called,   wishing 
me  to  admit  parties  of  eight  into  the  private  boxes  charged  £1  lis.  6d. 
— which  I  positively  refused  to  do.    I  am  resolved  to  stand  or  fall  upon 
the  principle  with  which  I  have  set  out.     Forster  having  told  me  that 
Bulwer's  dinner  was  put  off,  I  resolved  on  devoting  the  evening  to 
Marino  Faliero,  to  which  I  therefore  applied  myself,  and  with  occasional 
interruptions  finally  arranged. 

December  10th. — Again  late  in  bed.  Looked  at  the  newspapers. 
When  I  came  down  I  read  Mr.  Lover's  farce,  which  seems  to  me  very 
indifferent.  Devoted  the  whole  of  the  rest  of  the  day  to  the  reading 
over  and  further  compression  of  Marino  Faliero  ^  of  which  I  now  begin 
to  entertain  great  fears.  Sat  with  my  children  after  dinner.  Read 
over  Marino  Faliero  to  Letitia  and  part  to  Catherine,  but  it  did  not 
seem  to  interest  them  much.     Read  prayers  to  the  family. 

December  l^th. — Looked  at  the  play  of  the  Tempest,  with  a  view 
to  its  adaptation.  Went  to  the  theatre,  was  kept  talking  on  business 
the  whole  morning.  Mr.  Hughes,  the  author  of  John  of  Albi,  brought 
me  a  letter  from  Sheil  to  request  my  attention  to  him  ;  he  read  me 
part  of  a  poem  on  the  stage,  which  I  could  have  spared.  Spoke  to 
Mr.  Thomas  and  Rodwell  about  the  choruses  of  last  night,  and  Mr. 
Leffler,  who  sang  so  badly.  Sent  for  Mr.  Leffler  and  spoke  to  him. 
Sent  to  Mr.  Rooke  and  asked  him  to  teach  Mr.  Leffler  the  music  of 
AmSlie,  which  he  promised  to  do.     Stanfield  wished  his  diorama  to 

430 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

be  moved  earlier  in  the  pantomime — a  palaver  about  that !  Wrote 
many  notes.  Read  over  the  greater  part  of  Mr.  Power's  Quentin 
Durward.  Very  much  dissatisfied  with  the  return  of  the  house,  which 
looked  nearly  as  good  as  last  night.  Miss  Martineau  was  in  our  box. 
Note  from  Dickens  with  his  volume  of  Pickwick. 

December  12th. — Went  to  the  theatre.  Met  Messrs.  Bartley  and 
Robertson  in  my  room ;  was  displeased  with  the  former  for  a  note 
he  had  written  to  Mr.  Holt  about  his  piece.  Not  very  well  pleased 
with  the  latter  about  the  house  last  night.  He  is  scarcely  ever  at  his 
post — never  watching  the  proceedings  of  the  doorkeepers,  which  1 
take  it  to  be  his  business  to  do ;  was  dissatisfied  with  the  return,  and 
not  assured  by  the  account  he  gave  me.  He  is  a  very  inefficient  ofiicer. 
Wrote  to  Bowes  about  the  Domino  Noir,  and  to  Dickens,  thanking 
him  for  his  present  of  the  Pickwick  Papers.  Power  called ;  spoke  to 
him  about  his  piece.  Spoke  with  Stanfield  about  his  diorama,  and 
satisfied  him  on  the  subject  of  its  place  in  the  pantomime.  Went 
over  the  play  of  the  Tempest.  Jerdan  called  in  and  spoke  about  the 
progress  we  were  making  in  public  opinion. 

December  IMh. — At  the  theatre,  attended  to  business ;  watched 
part  of  the  pantomime,  and  made  some  little  alterations  in  the  dialogue. 
Received  the  estimate  of  the  gas  alteration,  which,  though  very  expen- 
sive, I  ordered,  in  justice,  as  I  thought,  to  Stanfield  and  the  work 
he  is  engaged  on  for  me.  Saw  Stanfield,  and  told  him  I  would 
have  it,  and  accordingly  ordered  it.  Received  a  letter  from  Calcraft 
by  a  Mr.  Wakemore,  heard  that  his  (C.'s)  houses  were  crowded! 
Thought  he  might  have  paid  me  my  money  due.  Saw  Sir  G.  Smart  ^ 
about  the  concert,  at  which  Phillips  is  engaged,  and  Wilson  and  Miss 
Shirreff  have  engaged  themselves  to  sing  on  Wednesday  next ;  he 
kindly  undertook  to  do  his  utmost  to  make  an  arrangement  that  should 
not  stop  our  opera.  Cast  several  plays ;  Miss  Faucit  called  in — looked 
not  well,  and  seemed  not  well.  Forster  came  in,  and  told  me  that 
Mr.  Evans,  Mr.  Bunn's  solicitor,  had  commenced  an  action  against 
the  Examiner  for  libel.  I  did  not  see  his  object  in  telling  me  this. 
I  did  not  like  his  manner,  it  was  not  manly,  nor  direct.  I  believe  he 
has  in  some  way,  not  yet  declared,  committed  himself.  He  said  he 
called  to  put  me  on  my  guard  against  Friswell,  Polhill's  solicitor,  and 
said  something  which  I  did  not  thoroughly  understand,  about  his 
having  promised  Molloy,  Westmacott's  solicitor,  not  to  attack  Mr. 
Bunn  personally,  if  the  Age  attacks  on  Talfourd  were  discontinued. 
*  Sir  George  Thomas  Smart  (1776-1867) ;  the  eminent  musical  director  and  composer. 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

I  do  not  understand  this.  There  is  more  under  it.  Called  on  Whit- 
more;  saw  him  and  Friswell's  evidence;  he  said  all  was  right.  Altered 
some  of  the  pantomime  dialogue. 

December  15th. — Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  wrote  a  note  to 
White  and  Whitmore,  pointing  out  what  I  thought  was  evidence  of 
Mr.  Bunn's  inculpation  with  the  two  first  libels  of  the  Age.  Pro- 
ceeded to  the  Garrick  Club,  to  search  the  Morning  Herald  for  the 
paragraph,  but  could  not  find  it.  Asked  Winston  to  send  me  up  the 
files  of  the  Age;  Winston  told  me  that  they  talked  in  the  Club  of  a 
report,  which  these  wretches  had  set  about,  of  a  prosecution  against 
Talfourd,  Forster,  Polhill  and  myself  I  ! ! — for  a  conspiracy  to  put 
down  the  id ge/  I  clearly  see  that  they  are  desperate.  Returned  to  the 
theatre,  where  I  saw  Sir  George  and  Lady  Smart.  Sir  George  had  settled 
the  matter  of  Toulmin's  concert  for  me,  and  our  opera  continues  un- 
impeded. Forster  and  Dickens  called,  and  confirmed  what  I  had  heard 
of  Talfourd 's  egregious  folly  and  weakness  regarding  the  Age  newspaper. 

December  16th. — Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  attended  to  busi- 
ness, looking  out  for  plays,  etc.,  after  Christmas.  Had  the  account 
from  Robertson,  which  I  looked  over,  and  found  myself  about  .£2200  to 
make  up,  to  bring  in  even  balance ;  profit  therefore  is  beyond  all  hope ! 

December  llth. — Rose  late ;  looked  at  the  newspapers,  and  after- 
wards gave  my  attention  for  some  time  to  my  accounts.  More  com- 
fortable in  the  returning  health  of  my  darling  Nina.  These  dear 
children  are  the  solace  of  my  fretted  and  repining  spirit.  God  bless 
them !  Wallace  said  that  Forster  was  harsh  and  unjust  on  Forrest 
last  year.  I  was  very  sorry  to  hear  this,  of  which  I  could  not  judge — 
never  having  seen  him  ;  but  Forster  has  not  a  cool  judgment,  and  is 
certainly,  though  an  ardent,  yet  a  dangerous  friend  and  ally.  Read 
over  Macbeth,  in  which  I  find  myself  much  abroad.  The  cares  of 
management  are  distracting  me  from  ruminating  upon  my  art.  My 
spirits  very  low,  and  my  mind  occupied  with  pondering  on  the  sacrifice 
I  have  made,  and  the  false  step  I  have  taken  in  embarking  my  property 
on  this  desperate  enterprise.  Am  I  not  punished  enough  ?  Read 
prayers  to  the  family.     God  help  me ! 

December  18th. — Mr.  Martin,  the  Vice-Chamberlain,  called  to 
report  to  me  the  Queen's  intention  of  visiting  the  theatre  this  evening. 
Sent  for  Bartley,  Brad  well,  etc.,  and  gave  directions  for  her  reception. 
Sent  letters  to  the  papers  informing  them  of  the  circumstance.  Lay 
down  on  bed,  and  tried  to  think  of  Macbeth,  but  it  would  not  rest  in 
my  mind.     Received   letters — one  from    White   and  Whitmore   with 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Richards's  opinion  on  the  case  v.  Bunn  and  Westmacott,  in  which  he 
seems  averse  to  proceeding  with  the  action.  Acted  Macbeth  tolerably 
well,  particularly  the  latter  part  of  the  play.  Was  called  for,  but 
her  Majesty  took  precedence,  and  I  hid  my  diminished  head.  Forster 
and  Wallace  came  into  my  room. 

December  19th. — Awoke  at  five  o'clock  much  disturbed  by  the 
thought  which  crossed  me,  that  possibly  the  subject  of  the  pantomime 
might  be  considered  indelicate  from  the  indecent  character  of  the  farce 
acted  at  Drury  Lane  and  the  Haymarket  last  night ;  lay  thinking  upon 
it,  until  at  a  late  hour  I  fell  asleep.  Rose  late,  and  looked  at  the 
papers ;  the  Times  gave  us  no  notice,  the  Herald  a  very  cold  one 
coupled  with  a  very  impertinent  one  on  the  Drury  Lane  performance. 
Are  not  these  newspaper  reporters  wretches?  Is  it  easy  to  imagine 
men  made  up  of  viler  materials?  Answered  a  note  from  Lane;  went 
to  theatre.  Expressed  my  apprehensions  about  the  possible  attempt 
to  fix  the  character  of  indecency  on  our  story,  and  recommended  a 
slight  alteration  in  its  conduct,  to  which  they  agreed,  Mr.  Young 
asking  me  to  do  it  for  him.  Gave  Mr.  Bartley  directions.  Bartley 
told  me  that  Lord  Conyngham  had  sent  to  say  that  the  Queen  was 
very  much  pleased  with  the  last  evening's  entertainment. 

December  20th. — Note  from  Bulwer,  informing  me  of  his  having 
begun  a  play  and  of  his  confidence  in  its  success.  Wrote  notes.  Came 
home  in  very  low  spirits ;  found  my  darling  children  ill,  and  my  beloved 
Willie  labouring  under  a  nervous  disorder,  the  effect  of  the  shock  he 
received  in  his  dream  a  few  nights  since,  which  quite  strikes  his  spirits. 
He  makes  me  very  unhappy,  the  blessed  fellow !  Reluctant  to  go  to 
work — spirits  low — the  elasticity  of  my  mind  impaired. 

December  9,1st. — Asked  Stanfield  what  I  was  to  give  him  for  his 
labour,  name  and  talent.  I  could  not  induce  him  to  name  his  price. 
Superintended  the  rehearsal  of  the  opening  of  the  pantomime,  and 
attended  to  various  matters  appertaining  to  it. 

December  22nd. — Heard  a  rumour  that  Mr.  C.  Kean  was  not  about 
to  complete  his  engagement  with  Drury  Lane  in  consequence  of  liis 
approaching  marriage  with  Miss  Burdett ;  ^  the  news  appeared  strange 
and  too  good  to  be  true.  Spoke  to  Stanfield,  who  was  much  gratified 
with  what  I  had  said  of  him  and  his  kindness  to  me  in  the  playbill. 
Received  the  True  Sun  of  this  evening,  in  which  there  was  a  leading 
article  relating  to  myself,  that  from  the  warmth  of  its  eulogy  and  its 
enthusiasm  quite  affected  me. 

^  An  absur4  canard,  if  the  allusion  is  to  Miss  Burdett-Coutts. 
VOL.  I.  F  F  A 2^ 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1887 

December  23rd. — Went  to  the  theatre  for  an  early  rehearsal  of 
the  pantomime.  Letters,  notes  and  business.  There  was  a  paragraph 
in  the  Drury  Lane  playbill  of  the  very  lowest  order,  reflecting  upon 
that  which  was  inserted  in  yesterday's  Covent  Garden  bill  respecting 
Stanfield.  Robertson  drew  on  me  for  another  £100.  I  am  now  at 
the  verge  of  my  managerial  fate;  whether  I  am  to  sink  disastrously, 
or  to  spring  aloft  to  better  fortune  is  on  the  event  of  little  more  than 
one  hour.  God  will  ordain  my  course  for  the  best.  Would  I  could 
prevent  my  ignorant  heart  from  fretting  and  murmuring  at  the  adverse 
circumstances  that  seem  to  gather  round  me !  1  trust  I  shall  bear 
myself  through  the  worst  of  them  in  a  manly  and  dignified  manner. 
Forster  called  in  at  the  theatre.  My  spirits  are  very  low — very  much 
depressed  indeed. 

December  24f/i. — Saw  the  newspapers,  and  in  them  some  attacks 
upon  me — one  most  impudent  one  in  the  Satiristf  which  irritated  me, 
as  did  a  passage  by  that  foolish  man  Collier — to  whom  I  wrote  a  very 
civil  request  that  he  would  say  what  he  had  written.  Mr.  Lover 
called — not  a  very  love-able  person,  a  man  to  ask  to  parties  for 
amusement's  sake,  but  nothing  more.  Mr.  W.  Kennedy  called,  and 
made  a  visitation.  After  he  had  left  me  I  read  part  of  his  tragedy, 
the  Siege  of  Antwerp — it  is  clever,  but  not,  I  think,  sufliciently  so 
for  representation.  Went  about  seven  o'clock  to  the  theatre,  where 
I  remained  during  the  working  of  Stanfield's  diorama,  and  Bradwell's 
last  scene  until  a  quarter  past  two  o'clock.  My  expectations  were 
greatly  raised  as  to  the  effect  of  Bradwell's  scene,  in  which  I  was 
totally  disappointed,  when  it  was  all  put  together.  It  was  quite  a 
failure.  Went  home,  walking  part  of  the  way  with  Hartley  in  very 
low  spirits. 

December  25t/j. — Haunted  by  the  thought  of  the  pantomime, 
which  disturbed  the  little  time  allowed  me  for  sleep.  Went  to  the 
theatre  to  mention  a  plan  for  extricating  us  from  the  dilemma  of  the 
last  scene  and  found  Bradwell  busy,  and  confiding  in  the  measures 
then  in  progress.  Spoke  with  Stanfield  and  Marshall.  Saw  Robert- 
son and  Bartley,  told  them  of  my  intention  to  resign  if  we  approached 
the  sum  total  I  had  agreed  to  stake.  Spoke  to  Wallace  upon  the 
Satirist  libel  and  the  Figaro.  He  recommended  the  tenns  of  a  letter 
to  the  Satirist,  which  I  took  down. 

December  26th. — Dearest  Nina's  birthday.  Went  to  the  theatre, 
where  all  was  in  a  state  of  anxious  preparation  for  "the  great  work," 
the  pantomime.     Rehearsed  Lord  Hastings ;  watched  the  rehearsal  of 

434 


1837]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

the  pantomime/  which  I  could  not  leave,  for  had  I  gone  to  my  own 
room  I  could  not  have  given  my  attention  to  my  own  character,  my 
thoughts  would  have  been  with  the  success  of  the  pantomime.  Re- 
hearsing on  the  stage,  which  was  not  over  till  ten  minutes  past  five. 
Dickens,  Cattermole,  and  Forster  sat  it  through.  They  all  mentioned 
their  intention  of  quitting  the  Garrick  Club.  Forster  wished  all  to 
go  in  a  body,  which  I  protested  against,  as  indicating  a  spirit  not 
exactly  according  with  the  feelings  of  a  gentleman.  Sent  a  letter 
written  by  Robertson  to  the  editor  of  the  Satirist,  whose  orders,  with 
those  of  the  News  and  Figaro,  I  struck  off  the  Free  List.  Acted  I^ord 
Hastings  pretty  well,  taking  the  circumstances  into  consideration. 
Saw  Kemble  and  Jerdan  on  the  stage  to-night.  The  pantomime 
succeeded  completely,  for  which  I  feel  most  gratified. 

December  ^Tith. — Saw  the  neAvspapers,  which  were,  I  thought, 
reluctant  admissions  of  success  at  Covent  Garden.  Have  I  not  cause 
to  loathe  the  name  of  a  newspaper?  Sent  invitations  to  Talfourd, 
Dickens,  and  Forster,  and  asked  Stanfield  to  dine  with  me  to-morrow. 

December  28th. — Saw  Forster  and  told  him  of  Fitzgerald's  dining 
with  us.  Forster  asked  me  if  he  ought  to  stay  away,  and  I  said  I 
thought  not.  He  agreed  to  come.  Received  Le  Domino  Noir. 
Received  a  note  and  play  of  the  Fraudulent  Marriage  from  Bulwer. 
Returned  home  to  a  party — Wallace,  the  Talfourds,  Miss  Ely, 
Dickens ! — Fitzgeralds,  Forster,  Cattermole,  Stanfield.  Asked  Fitz- 
gerald to  allow  me  to  say  to  Forster  that  "  he  regretted  the  occur- 
rence "  ;  after  some  demur  he  consented.  I  said  this  to  Forster,  who 
did  not  receive  it  as  he  should  have  done.  All  the  party  went  to  the 
theatre.     Read  Bulwer's  play. 

December  29f/i. — Acted  Werner  very  indifferently.  I  am  falling 
off  in  my  art  through  my  attention  to  the  management.  I  must  reform 
it  altogether. 

December  20th. — O'Hanlon  called  before  I  went  out,  and  talked 
among  other  things  of  my  proceedings  against  that  wretched  piece  of 
villainy,  Mr.  Bunn.     I  sicken  at  the  man's  name.     He  regretted  the 

^  Harlequin  and  Peeping  Tom  of  Coventry.  It  wns  illustrate<l  by  a  moving  diorama, 
painted  by  Stanfield,  of  scenes  from  the  north  of  Italy,  the  Alps,  Germany,  and  France,  in- 
cluding the  Col  du  Bnn  Homme  by  moonlight,  and  concluding  with  the  British  Channel.  In 
the  playbills  Macready  expressed  his  obligations  to  Stanfield,  stating  that  "at  a  sacrifice,  and 
in  a  manner  the  most  liberal  and  kind,  he  had  for  a  short  period  laid  aside  his  easel  to  pre- 
sent the  manager  with  his  last  work,  in  a  department  of  art  so  conspicuously  advanced  by 
him,  as  a  mark  of  the  interest  he  feels  in  the  suco'ss  of  the  cause  which  this  theatre  labours  to 
support  "  {note  by  Sir  F.  Pollock). 

'^'  435 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1837 

prosecution.  I  do  also,  under  the  feeling  that  law  is  so  far  removed 
from  justice.  Mr.  Pope  called ;  looked  at  the  newspapers.  Catherine 
went  in  a  carriage  for  Kenney,  and  brought  him  here ;  had  a  long 
conversation  with  him  upon  Le  Domino  Noir — which  I  gave  him  to 
read,  and  on  which  we  are  to  speak  to-morrow.  Went  in  Catherine's 
carriage  to  the  theatre.  Attended  to  business,  found  a  letter  from 
Bowes.  Spoke  with  Robertson  and  Bartley  on  business.  Mr.  Roberts 
sent  me  a  letter  of  expostulation  about  the  part  of  Paris,  which  was 
taken  from  him  unwittingly.  I  sent  to  him,  and  spoke  to  him  very 
kindly  about  it.  Miss  Huddart  called.  I  told  her  her  name  was 
altered  in  the  announcements  to  Warner,^  and  gave  her  the  part  of 
Regan — which  she  kindly  undertook  to  do.  Miss  Faucit  called,  who, 
I  think,  is  very  ill ;  gave  her  a  box ;  she  seemed  disposed  to  quarrel 
with  Cordelia !  This  is  too  bad.  Went  to  the  Garrick  Club,  where 
I  was  much  concerned  to  see  Thomas  Campbell  black-balled !  ^  It 
was  indeed  an  indignity  for  such  a  club  to  black-ball  such  a  man  I 
Talked  with  some  of  the  members  about  enlarging  or  altering  the 

dining-room  to  avoid  the  impertinences  of  Messrs.  P ,  etc.     Read 

Bulwer's  play — first  to  myself  and  afterwards  to  Catherine  and  Letitia. 
They  had  discovered  the  author !     Note  from  Bulwer. 

December  31st. — The  last  day  of  this  eventful  year  has  arrived, 
and  in  the  hasty  glance  I  am  able  to  cast  back  upon  it  I  see,  with 
occasional  starts  of  industry  and  effort,  much  waste  of  time — much 
abuse  of  opportunity — much  idle,  vain  and  dissipated  conduct.  Since 
my  entrance  on  this  unhappy  speculation  of  management,  my  mind  has, 
if  not  retrograded,  certainly  stood  still.  My  care  of  my  blessed 
children  has  been  surrendered  to  others.  I  cannot  but  regret  this 
and  much  more — such  as  the  sort  of  conflict  into  which  I  am  thrown 
with  that  degraded  and  vile  character,  whom  I  loathe  to  name — as  a 
serious  cause  of  deep  regret.  I  pray  God  to  shield  and  protect  me 
through  the  remaining  portion  of  my  trying  task  !  Amen !  Looked 
over  the  newspapers.     Forster  called.     As  I  went  out  to  call  on  Bulwer 

I  set  him  (F )  down  in  Oxford  Street.     Talked  with  Bulwer  about 

his  play;  he  has  not  settled  his  fifth  act,  and  I  cannot  help  him.  A 
Dr.  Quin,^  a  homoeopathic,  called  and  inquired  into  his  state. 

^  Her  married  name. 

*  He  was,  nevertheless,  decreed  worthy  of  Westminster  Al)bey ;  but  he  had  certain 
idiosyncrasies  which  would  probably  have  rendered  him  unpalatable  at  the  Garrick. 

3  Frederick  Hervey  Foster  Quin  (1799-1878);  M.D.,  Edinburgh.  At  one  time 
physician  to  Prince  Leopold  afterwards  first  King  of  the  Belgians ;  began  to  practise  in  London 
in  1831  ;  regarded  in  many  quarters  as  a  cjuack  ;  a  persona  grata  at  Gore  House ;  in 
later  life  had  many  distinguished  patients,  among  them  Disraeli ;  a  diner-out  and  raconteur. 


1838 

London,  January  9,nd. — Read  over  part  of  King  hear,  and  then 
went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  found  a  letter  from  Miss  Faucit,  returning 
the  part  of  Cordelia.  Mrs.  Clifford  wished  to  speak  to  me,  and  I  found 
her  object  was  to  procure  an  engagement  for  her  daughter ;  I  seized  the 
opportunity  and  engaged  her.  Spoke  with  Bartley,  and  wrote  to  Miss 
Faucit,  sending  back  the  part  of  Cordelia  with  a  very  kind  note  of 
remonstrance.  Called  at  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw  Kemble,  Flad- 
gate,  and  Poole,  who  spoke  to  me  upon  the  black-balling  of  Campbell. 

January  3rd. — Heard  at  the  box-office  that  Mr.  C.  Kean  had  called 
there  to  ask  Notter  how  he  did ! — to  complain  that  he  had  lost  his  voice 
— through  nervousness !  and  asked  Notter  if  we  did  not  wish  him  at  the 
Devil  !  The  conceit  and  effrontery  of  this  puppy  is  really  disgusting. 
Went  to  the  Garrick  Club  to  look  at  the  magazines.  Met  Mr. 
C.  Dance,  and  returned  his  salute  very  coldly.  I  do  not  justify 
quarrelling  with  any  one,  but  this  man  I  have  been  friends  with,  have 
conciliated  him  by  all  gentlemanly  attentions,  he  has  called  me  his 
friend,  and  he  has  done  his  utmost  to  injure  me.  I  cannot  keep  a 
semblance  of  regard  for  such  a  person.  Received  note  from  Collier 
with  a  dramatic  piece  by  Lord  F.  Egerton,  which  will  not  do.  Collier 
excused  himself  from  dining  on  Saturday ;  Rooke  accepted.  Went  to 
theatre.  Note  from  Bulwer,  stipulating  for  a  frank  opinion,  and  pro- 
fessing himself  ready  to  begin  another  play,  if  I  disapproved  of  this. 
Note  from  Miss  Faucit,  very  ungraciously  consenting  to  act  Cordelia. 

January  4f/i. — Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  went  on  a  first  rehearsal 
of  King  Lear.'  My  opinion  of  the  introduction  of  the  Fool  is  that,  like 
many  such  terrible  contrasts  in  poetry  and  painting,  in  acting  repre- 
sentation it  will  fail  of  effect ;  it  will  either  weary  and  annoy  or  distract 
the  spectator.  I  have  no  hope  of  it,  and  think  that  at  the  last  we  shall 
be  obliged  to  dispense  with  it.  Settled  the  scenery,  which  will  be  very 
striking.  Received  the  last  act  of  Bulwer's  play  with  a  note  from  him. 
Read  it,  and  have  my  apprehensions  about  it ;  he  writes  too  hastily, 
he  does  not  do  himself  justice.     Note  from  Bartley  with  account  of 

437 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1838 

house,  and  information  that  Polhill  had  challenged  all  the  sub- 
committee of  Drury  Lane  theatre,  all  of  whom  had  refused  to  go  out ; 
that  Westmacott  was  to  leave  the  Age  on  Sunday,  and  that  Bunn  was 
to  receive  .£760  for  his  two  shares  on  Tuesday ! !  What  a  mass  of 
filth! 

January  5th. — Robertson  paid  me  back  a  cheque  for  £965  10s. — 
the  money  I  had  advanced.  God  grant  I  may  be  able  to  keep  it ! 
Amen !  Attended  to  business.  Speaking  to  Willmott  and  Bartley 
about  the  part  of  the  Fool  in  Lear,  and  mentioning  my  apprehensions 
that,  with  Meadows,  we  should  be  obliged  to  omit  the  part,  I  described 
the  sort  of  fragile,  hectic,  beautiful-faced,  half-idiot-looking  boy  that 
he  should  be,  and  stated  my  belief  that  it  never  could  be  acted.  Bartley 
observed  that  a  woman  should  play  it.  I  caught  at  the  idea,  and 
instantly  exclaimed:  "Miss  P.  Horton  is  the  very  person."  I  was 
delighted  at  the  thought.  Received  notes  from  Stanfield,  declining  to 
name  any  sum  in  compensation  for  his  labour.  Bulwer  called  and  talked 
with  me  about  the  play.  I  went  over  the  last  act  with  him.  He  told  me 
of  the  works  upon  his  hands ;  his  industry  is  astonishing !  Consulted 
Robertson  and  Bartley  about  Stanfield ;  mentioned  my  purpose  of  send- 
ing him  £250  and  a  present  of  plate,  value  £50.  Robertson  thought 
it  liberal ;  Bartley  thought  it  only  what  was  requisite.  Bartley  is 
liberal  with  others'  money,  and  I  was  annoyed  to  think  that  I  might 
be  supposed  to  undervalue  Stanfield 's  kindness. 

January  6th. — Spoke  to  Miss  Faucit,  who  seems  to  have  taken  up 
a  very  discontented  tone. 

January  1th. — Began  to  read  with  much  attention  the  play  Bulwer 
had  left  me  yesterday.  Talfourd  came  in,  and,  after  some  conversation 
upon  the  action  against  Bunn  (which  I  feel  disposed  to  relinquish  from 
disgust  at  the  mixture  of  his  filthy  name  with  mine),  Talfourd  took  me 
into  the  dining-room  and  told  me  he  had  finished  his  play,  and  asked 
me  if  I  would  come  and  dine  with  him  and  hear  it  read  this  afternoon. 
I  declined  it,  as  I  could  not  judge  of  it  from  his  reading.  He  told  me 
that  he  was  quite  disappointed  in  it.  Wallace  mentioned  to  me  a  letter 
he  had  written  to  Lardner  in  a  most  gentlemanly  tone,  expressing  his 
deep  concern  at  having  written  that  harsh  article  against  Bulwer,  which 
was  shown  to  Bulwer.  How  much  more  noble  is  atonement  than 
obstinacy !  How  positively  beautiful  it  is !  Talfourd  called  again  to 
say  that  in  his  ride  he  had  reconsidered  his  tragedy,  and  did  not  feel 
the  despondency  about  it  he  had  before  expressed.  I  told  him  I  did 
not  pay  any  regard  to  what  he  had  said  on  such  a  subject.     Finished 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

the  perusal  of  Bulwer's  play,  which  I  think,  considering  the  time  in 
which  it  has  been  planned  and  written,  is  really  wonderful. 

January  8th. — Waited  with  some  impatience  until  eleven  o'clock 
for  the  arrival  of  Bartley  and  Robertson  from  Drury  Lane ;  they  came 
with  Forster,  and  gave  an  account  of  the  reception  and  performance 
of  Mr.  C.  Kean.  In  going  over  the  different  points,  each  one  eniuner- 
ated  confirmed  me  in  the  opinion  I  had  long  since  taken  up  on  very 
good  grounds,  that  this  young  man  has  been  trading  in  the  part  of 
Hamlet  upon  my  conception  and  performance.  Willmott  exclaimed 
as  they  detailed  the  various  passages :  '*  Every  point  is  Mr.  Mac- 
ready's."  They  spoke  of  it  as  a  dull  affair.  The  papers  will,  of 
course,  laud  it  beyond  all  measure.  We  must  trust  in  the  strength  of 
truth,  and  the  God  of  truth. 

January  dth. — Thought  upon  King  Lear  in  bed ;  on  coming  down, 
read  two  of  the  newspapers  upon  the  debut  of  Mr.  C.  Kean.  They 
were  evidently  disposed  to  give  all  the  praise  they  could,  but  in  spite 
of  their  partiality  they  could  not  raise  the  tone  of  their  commendation 
suflficiently  high  to  give  me  any  cause  of  apprehension  on  the  success 
of  our  theatre.  I  hope  I  do  not  deceive  myself.  Went  to  the  theatre ; 
wrote  a  letter  to  Stanfield,  enclosing  a  cheque  for  ,£300. 

January  10th. — Received  a  paper  of  the  Figaro  in  London,  contain- 
ing a  page  and  a  quarter  of  the  most  violent  abuse  and  strangest 
inventions  of  falsehood  about  myself.  I  laughed  at  it,  and  enclosed 
it  without  notice  or  comment  to  Mr.  Beckett,  St.  James's  theatre. 
Called  at  the  Garrick  Club  to  look  at  some  costumes  for  Lear;  saw 
Thackeray,  who  promised  to  send  me  a  book  on  the  subject.  Coming 
home  read  Talfourd's  tragedy  of  the  Athenian  Captive.  This  was  a 
great  disappointment  to  me  ;  no  one  could  believe  it  to  be  by  the  author 
of  Ion;  it  has  nothing  of  it  but  its  faults  of  style  exaggerated.  How 
am  I  to  tell  Talfourd  this,  I  scarcely  know.  I  fear  the  effect  of  such 
a  communication,  but  I  will  do  "all  in  honour."  A  letter  from  Stan- 
field  refusing  to  accept  the  £300  I  sent  him,  returning  me  the  cheque 
I  had  sent  him,  and  asking  for  £150.  This  is  one  of  the  few  noble 
instances  of  disinterested  friendly  conduct  I  have  met  with  in  my  life. 
God  bless  him. 

January  llth. — Talfourd  called  to  know  the  fate  of  his  tragedy.  I 
could  not  deal  otherwise  than  honestly  and  kindly  by  him.  I  told  him 
he  should  dictate  as  to  its  performance ;  that  if  he  wished  it,  I  would 
act  it,  but  as  a  friend  I  advised  him  on  every  account  not  to  do  so.  It 
was  painful — he  was  evidently  much  disappointed.     I  said  I  would  read 

439 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1838 

it  again,  and  talk  with  him  upon  it.     I  think  he  will  have  it  done — and 
if  he  does,  it  will  be  a  serious  calamity  to  him.     I  feel  sure  of  it. 

January  l^th. — Read  part  of  Talfourd's  tragedy.  Saw  some 
salvers,  and  chose  one  for  Stanfield.  Rested.  Acted  Werner  mid- 
dlingly.  Called  for,  and  very  kindly  received.  Received  in  a  note  a 
slip  of  paper — to  be  printed,  I  suppose,  in  some  Sunday  paper — abusing 
Forster  and  essaying  to  turn  me  into  ridicule.  A  passage  from  a  letter 
of  mine  to  Mr.  C.  Kean  was  referred  to. 

January  12th. — Looked  at  the  newspapers.  Read  in  the  Literary 
Gazette  a  notice  of  Mr.  C.  Kean's  performance.  It  was  in  a  kind  tone 
of  praise,  seemingly  anxious  to  do  him  justice.  I  should  think  it  did 
so.  Came  home.  Catherine  showed  me  the  criticism  on  Mr.  C.  Kean 
in  the  Examiner,  which  Mr.  Forster  had  carried  up  here.  I  was  aston- 
ished— dejected — and  sickened  with  disgust  at  the  recreant  contradiction 
of  his  own  strongly  expressed  opinions  in  my  room  on  Monday  night 
before  Bartley,  Robertson,  etc.  This  is  the  man,  who  to  my 
earnest  entreaty  last  season  refused  to  compromise  his  character  for 
integrity  upon  the  merits  of  Mr.  Forrest,  a  stranger  and  a  visitor ! — 
and  this  is  my  friend  ! — and  so  is  Talfourd  !  Friends ! ! !  Such  men 
have  neither  the  heart,  the  courage,  nor  the  honesty  to  be  friends. 
They  do  not  know  what  the  noble  and  romantic  bond  means. 

January  14f^. — Before  I  had  dressed  I  received  a  note  from  Forster, 
evidently  intended  to  sound  my  state  of  feeling  upon  his  criticism,  under 
which  I  had  been  suffering  much.  I  answered  it  as  coolly  as  I  could, 
expressing  my  surprise  and  disappointment.  Read  over  the  newspaper, 
and  was  just  about  to  begin  my  accounts  when  Forster  called.  He  said 
that  he  could  not  remain  at  home,  he  was  so  distressed  by  my  note, 
and  he  came  here  to  explain  it,  and  to  prove  to  me  that  it  was  not 
likely  to  be  as  injurious  as  I  supposed.  He  was  evidently  deeply  pained 
and  affected  by  the  circumstance,  and  my  displeasure  vanished  at  once. 
We  all  talked  it  over,  but  his  very  anxiety  to  persuade  me  of  its  harm- 
lessness  only  fortified  my  conviction  of  its  power  of  mischief.  We  shall 
see.  I  was  too  hasty  in  my  angry  feeling  towards  him,  for  I  must  think 
his  regard  for  me  deep  and  sincere.  Read  an  act  of  Talfourd's  play, 
which  is  not  good. 

January  15th. — Newspapers.  The  Times  as  usual  puffs  Drury 
Lane!  Read  the  two  acts  of  Talfourd's  tragedy,  which  on  reconsidera- 
tion I  think  positively  bad.  Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  attended  to 
business ;  was  detained  long  by  Mr.  Gye,^  who  wanted  to  argue  with 

^  Frederick  Gye  the  ^Ider  ^1781-1869);  originally  a  fishmonger;   won  ;^30,ooo  in  a 

44Q 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

me  that  I  ought  to  retain  his  light  through  the  run  of  the  pantomime, 
which  he  charged  at  £1  10s.  per  night,  with  no  stipulation  or  statement 
as  to  the  expense. 

January  ISth. — Received  a  querulous  note  from  Talfourd,  who 
seems  annoyed  at  my  opinion  upon  his  play,  which  he  says,  having  been 
written  for  the  most  disinterested  purpose  of  serving  the  cause  I  uphold, 
he  cannot  consent  to  let  his  labour  perish,  and  insists  on  its  perform- 
ance! How  different  from  Bulwer,  who,  without  giving  his  name, 
writes  a  play  for  the  same  ostensible  purpose,  and  desires  me  not  to 
act  it  unless  I  feel  confident  of  its  success !  Talfourd  has  relieved  me 
from  all  thought  of  obligation  by  the  evidence  he  has  given  of  seeking 
to  gratify  his  own  vanity  at  the  expense  of  the  cause  he  affects  to  wish 
to  serve  I     Thus  we  deceive  ourselves  ! 

January  19th. — Collier  called,  and  I  mentioned  to  him  Stanfield's 
noble  conduct,  etc.  He  told  me  that  he  had  said  to  a  friend  of  Mr. 
Kean  that  his — Mr.  K.'s — performance  of  Hamlet  was  not  half  so 
good  as  my  own,  and  that  the  Messieurs  of  the  Garrick  Club  ascribed 
Forster's  criticism  to  the  effects  of  influence  upon  him  and  of  fear !  So 
much  for  temporizing !  Talfourd  came  into  my  room,  and  kept  me 
late ;  he  said  he  did  not  mean  his  note  to  impugn  my  motives.  Told 
me  of  the  surprising  efforts  that  had  been  made  by  the  friends  of  Mr. 
C.  Kean  in  Scotland,  etc.,  to  induce  people — viz.  from  the  House  of 
Commons  and  the  Courts  of  I^aw — to  go  to  see  him  I 

January  20th. — At  home ;  received  a  note  and  the  salver,  properly 
inscribed,  from  Gass.  Stanfield,  Kenney,  Wallace,  Cattermole,  Forster, 
Browning,  and  Robertson  dined  with  us ;  we  spent  a  cheerful  afternoon. 
Before  we  went  upstairs  I  expressed  to  Stanfield  how  deeply  I  was 
indebted  for  the  noble  act  of  friendship  he  had  shown  me,  and  that 
I  had  a  slight  tribute  to  offer  him,  on  which  the  record  of  my  gratitude 
was  engraved,  though  not  so  deeply  as  on  the  more  perishable  substance 
of  my  heart.  I  gave  him  the  salver,  which  was  admired,  and  the 
inscription,  as  altered  by  Wallace,  was  read. 

To  Charles  Stanfield,  Esq.,  R.A, 

In  remembrance  of  the  kindness  and  zeal  with  which  he  brought  the  magic  of 
his  pencil  and  the  celebrity  of  his  name  to  the  aid  of  a  discouraged  and  declining 
sister  art,  this  humble  tribute  is  presented  by  his  gi-ateful  friend, 

William  Charles  Macready. 
Jomtujmj  20th,  1838. 

lottery  and  embarked  on  various  speculative  enterprises,  including  Vauxhall  Gardens  ;   was 
M-P.  for  Chippenham  from  1826  to  1 831. 

441 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1838 

Stanfield,  dear  fellow,  was  quite  overcome,  but  seemed  very  happy.  I 
was  happy  in  seeing  one  making  him  so. 

January  23rd. — Received  a  note  from  Mr.  Capel,  the  clergyman  of 
Watford,  who  wanted  "  to  have  permission  to  come  behind  the  scenes 
in  the  evening  " — a  modest  request  for  a  clergyman. 

January  24>th. — Received  the  account  of  house,  which  was,  con- 
sidering all  things,  not  to  be  complained  of ;  but  with  it  heard  that  the 
Drury  Lane  house  was  very  good.  This  is  news  that  really  disturbs 
ray  patience — giving  up,  as  I  do,  my  talent  (such  as  it  is),  my  experi- 
ence, my  mind  to  the  advancement  of  the  interests  of  this  art ;  and  here 
is  a  person  quacked  into  celebrity  without  one  original  thought,  without 
anything  to  constitute  superiority,  made  an  attraction !  It  is  too 
disgusting. 

January  21st. — Saw  Fitzgerald  in  Catherine's  box,  who  told  me  of 
an  interview  with  Mr.  C.  Kean,  that  I  should  have  thought  incredible 
if  not  borne  out  by  facts.  This  young  man's  egotism  and  coxcombry 
amount  almost  to  insanity. 

February  1st. — Lady  Charlotte  Bacon, ^  Lord  Oxford's  daughter, 
called,  wishing  to  go  on  the  stage ;  she  read  before  me.  I  dissuaded 
her  from  the  attempt.     She  gave  me  part  of  her  history. 

February  2nd. — Miss  Martineau  called,  and  sat  a  short  time.  Dr. 
Elliotson  called,  thought  me  much  better.  Wrote  to  Thomas  Moore 
with  cards  of  admission.  Read  over  King  Lear.  Went  to  the  theatre 
and  acted  King  Lear  pretty  well ;  was  called  for,  and  very  enthusiastically 
received. 

February  3rd. — Wrote  a  long  letter  to  Bartley  about  Mr.  Wilson's 
refractory  declaration  respecting  his  part  in  the  Domino;  these  opera 
people  are  enough  to  turn  one  sick,  and  what  are  they  worth,  at  their 
very  best?  Received  a  letter  from  Bulwer  with  the  title  of  The 
Adventurer,'^  but  when  I  saw  it  written  down  I  would  not  consent 
to  it.  Received  a  note  from  Bartley,  from  which  I  learn  that  he  has 
not  attended  to  my  instructions  sent  this  morning ;  that  Mrs.  Glover 

sent  an  apology  for  her  non-appearance  this  evening  (the !) ;  and 

that  Mr.  Anderson  was  very  well  received  in  Felix,  which  will  make 
him  untractable,  to  a  certainty !  A  note — rather  an  impertinent  one — 
from  Mr.  Manvers  about  the  mistake  as  to  his  part  in  the  Domino.  I 
wish  they  were  all  tied  in  a  sack  together !     They  worry  my  heart  out. 

February  4f7i. — Read  over,  in  the  course  of  day,   Bulwer's  play ; 

»  Lord  Byron's  "lanthe." 

*  Afterwards  named  TAe  Lady  of  Lyons  (note  by  Sir  F.  Pollock). 
442 


1838]  THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

a  conversation  with  Forster  on  its  degree  of  power,  and  more  par- 
ticularly of  the  quantity  given  to  the  character  of  Melnotte  induced  me 
to  give  it  a  more  scrutinizing  examination.  To  ray  surprise  and  regret,  I 
find  that  it  tapers  off  after  the  third  act,  and  that  the  female  character  has 
the  strength  of  the  two  last  acts — tant  pis !    Read  prayers  to  the  family. 

February  5th. — Acted  Macbeth  with  a  care  and  an  energy  that  I 
have  not  done  these  many  nights ;  and  in  the  intervals  of  the  scenes  my 
heart  was  almost  breaking,  to  think  of  the  time,  toil,  and  money  that 
I  have  so  heedlessly  thrown  away  on  so  ungrateful  a  cause.  An  empiric 
like  this  Mr.  C.  Kean  is  paid  £40  per  night,  and  followed  by  crowds ; 
an  ignorant  and  infamous  wretch  like  that  disgusting  beast  is  sustained 
in  his  system  of  open  pillage  on  the  actors,  while  all  my  labours,  enter- 
prise, and  talent,  such  as  it  is,  would  only  lead  me  and  my  children  to 
beggary,  if  my  fate  now  depended  on  the  integrity  and  intelligence  of 
the  newspapers  or  the  taste  of  the  public.  There  was  a  report  that  the 
Queen  was  at  Drury  Lane  to-night — another  cause  of  thankfulness. 
Was  asked  for  and  very  enthusiastically  received.  Forster  and  Robert- 
son brought  reports  from  Drury  Lane — the  first  that  C.  Kean's  Richard 
was  a  failure,  the  last  different. 

February  6th. — Heard  the  accounts  in  the  newspapers  of  Mr. 
C.  Kean's  performance,  which  record  it  as  a  triumph  ;  and,  coupled 
with  the  Queen's  presence,  will  no  doubt  make  it  fashionable  for  many 
nights  to  come.  It  is  not  possible  for  me  to  receive  with  placidity  a 
blow  like  this,  which,  giving  power  to  empiricism  and  ignorant  puffery, 
prostrates  all  my  hopes  of  making  a  permanent  asylum  in  Covent  Garden 
theatre  for  the  drama.  The  hope  is  gone,  and  I  have  to  toil  on  witli 
the  conviction  of  the  uselessness  of  my  efforts.  This  indignation  I 
suffer  from  is  great,  and  I  could  curse  the  fate  that  threw  me  into  a 
sphere  of  life  with  violent  passions,  where  these  passions  are  so  cruelly 
acted  on  ! 

February  9th. — Acted  King  Lear  pretty  well ;  took  pains,  but  was 
not  equal  to  myself  on  Wednesday.  Bulwer  came  into  my  room  at  the 
end  of  the  second  act.  I  sent  him  round  to  a  private  box  and  he 
returned  to  me  at  the  end  of  the  play.  Expressed  himself  in  very  warm 
terms  upon  what  he  styled  my  "  gigantic  "  performance,  talked  about 
the  play,  with  the  arrangements  for  which  he  seemed  well  satisfied.  In 
speaking  of  the  Ballot  question,  he  said  he  would  never  support  Ministers 
again  if  they  did  not  leave  it  an  open  question.  Was  called  for,  and 
very  cordially  received  by  the  audience. 

February   15th. — Went   to   an   early   rehearsal   of   the   new   play, 

443 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1838 

Message  from  the  Vice-Chamberlain  to  say  that  the  Queen  was  not 
coming,  which  I  hailed  as  excellent  news.  Acted  Claude  Melnotte  in 
Bulwer's  play  pretty  well ;  the  audience  felt  it  very  much,  and  were 
carried  away  by  it;  the  play  in  the  acting  was  completely  successful. 
Was  called  for,  and  leading  on  Miss  Faucit,  was  well  received ;  gave 
out  the  play.    Forster,  Kenney,  Bartley,  etc.,  came  into  my  room. 

February  11th. — Forster  called,  spoke  against  the  base  conduct  of 
the  Morning  Post,  and  mentioned  his  conviction  that  the  play  was 
Bulwer's !  I  evaded  him  as  well  as  I  could.  Read  over  part  of  the 
play,  being  anxious  to  play  well,  as  I  knew  Bulwer  would  be  there. 
Acted  pretty  well ;  was  called  for,  led  on  Miss  Faucit,  and  was  very 
cordially  received.  Spoke  to  Miss  Faucit  about  standing  behind  me, 
etc.  Bulwer  came  into  my  room,  and  expressed  himself  much  pleased ; 
offered  to  give  his  name,  whenever  I  might  wish  it.  Was  disappointed 
in  not  finding  the  character  of  Melnotte  more  prominent. 

February  18th. — Saw  the  newspapers,  which  I  only  glanced  over — 
political  as  well  as  theatrical  matter.  I  do  not  feel  that  our  play  will  be 
attractive ;  fearing  that  it  cannot  overcome  the  insidious  imputation 
of  disaffection  which  was  inserted  in  the  Times  newspaper.  The  indig- 
nation and  vindictive  emotions  which  those  despicable  assassins  of  men's 
reputations  excite  in  me  would  alone  resolve  me  to  relinquish  the 
management  of  the  theatre,  had  I  no  other  motives,  but  in  my  dis- 
tressed and  disquieted  mind  I  have  more  than  enough  to  compel  me. 
Bulwer  called,  and,  giving  me  full  power  to  act  on  my  own  judgment, 
seemed  not  to  wish  his  name  to  be  published  until  further  experiment 
of  the  play's  success  had  been  made — until  Thursday.  I  resolved  to 
wait  the  whole  week. 

February  9,1st. — Bulwer  called ;  I  was  preparing  to  go  on  the  stage, 
and  mentioned  his  uncertainty  about  the  policy  of  publishing  his  name. 
I  told  him  of  the  improvement  in  the  prospect  of  the  house,  and  we 
agreed  that  we  would  wait  and  see  the  progress  of  the  night.  I  acted 
well.  Bulwer  came  into  my  room.  My  dresser  was  there.  I  affected 
surprise  at  his  appearance,  and  talked  of  the  play  for  a  few  minutes, 
then  in  French  told  him  I  had  given  up  the  idea  of  publishing  his  name 
to-night,  and  requested  him  to  wait  and  observe  what  I  would  do.  He 
said:  '*Then  I  shall  see  you  again,"  and  went  away.  I  was  loudly 
called  for,  and  said:  "Ladies  and  Gentlemen, — After  the  very  kind 
reception  with  which  you  have  honoured  this  play,  I  hope  I  may  be 
permitted  to  say  a  few  words  in  regard  to  some  objections  which  have 
been  urged,  and  from  opinions  I  am  disposed  to  respect,  upon  passages 

444 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

that  are  said  to  be  political.  I  beg  to  assure  you  that,  upon  the 
strictest  investigation,  there  are  no  political  allusions  that  do  not  grow 
out  of  the  piece,  and  are  necessarily  conducive  to  the  working  of  the 
story.  Had  it  been  otherwise  I  am  certain  the  author,  whom  I  have 
the  honour  to  know,  would  never  have  descended  to  such  means  to 
entrap  your  applause ;  the  licenser  would  not  have  permitted  it,  nor,  I 
believe,  will  you  think  that  I  should  have  had  the  bad  taste  to 
encourage  it.  If  I  may  associate  such  a  name  with  an  existing  author's, 
our  divine  Shakspeare  is  liable  to  similar  imputations,  and  I  trust  I  shall 
receive  credit  for  the  assertion  of  the  principle  upon  which  I  conduct 
this  theatre — that  art  and  literature  have  no  politics."  Saw  Bulwer, 
who  Ifeft  with  me  carte-hlanche  as  to  the  time  and  mode  of  announcing 
his  name.^ 

February  9,4>th. — Saw  an  attack  in  the  Times  newspaper  on  Bulwer 
and  the  play,  arising  from  the  publication  of  his  name ;  it  was  vulgar, 
virulent,  and  impotent  from  its  display  of  malice — such  an  article  as 
I  would  wish  my  enemy  to  write  against  me. 

February  21th. — Forster  came  into  my  room,  and  told  me  of  some 
very  paltry  meanness  on  the  part  of  Talfourd  about  Bulwer 's  play, 
which,  he  said,  perfectly  disgusted  him.  What  he  told  me  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Talfourd  quite  roused  my  indignation,  and,  what  was  worse, 
made  me  lose  my  temper — an  unpardonable  folly  ! 

March  1st. — A  violent  love-letter  from  some  person  who  had  seen 
me  in  Melnotte.  Heard  that  the  Queen  had  gone  again  to  Drury 
Lane  this  evening — that  it  had  been  announced  in  the  evening  papers. 
Her  patronage  of  the  effort  I  am  making  to  uphold  the  drama — to 
preserve  decency  behind  the  curtain — is  quite  intelligible. 

March  3rd. — Acted  Claude  Melnotte  very  well.  The  Queen  came 
in  just  after  the  beginning  of  the  last  act ;  was  loudly  called  for  and 
very  warmly  received.  Lord  Conyngham  wished  to  see  myself  or  some 
one.  Sent  Bartley  to  him.  It  was  to  say  that  the  Queen  would  come 
to  see  the  whole  play  on  Tuesday,  and  wished  Bulwer  to  know  it. 

March  6th. — Acted  Claude  Melnotte  very  well.  The  Queen  came 
to  see  the  play — no  notice  was  taken  of  her.  Received  books  of  the 
play,  which  is  dedicated  to  Talfourd.  This  is  heaping  coals  of  fire  on 
his  head  with  a  vengeance !  Was  calle<l  for  by  the  audience,  and  well 
received.     Forster  came  into  my  room. 

*  The  name  of  Edward  Lytton  Bulwer  was  first  announced  as  tliat  of  the  author  of  TAe 
Lady  of  Lyms  in  the  Covent  Garden  playbill  of  Saturday,  February  24,  1838  {note  by 
Sir  F.  Pollock. ) 

445 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1838 

March  Sth. — Acted  Claude  Melnotte  middlingly ;  was  called  for  by 
the  audience,  and  well  received.  Miss  Faucit  wished  to  speak  a  few 
words  to  me — they  were,  to  ask  me  if  she  had  not  "  better  leave  out 
the  line  between  my  two  long  speeches."  Bulwer  came  into  my  room 
and  seemed  very  much  delighted  with  the  success  of  his  play.  He  told 
me  of  a  message  he  had  received  from  the  Queen,  full  of  courteous 
expressions  to  him  about  the  play,  and  wishing  him  to  communicate 
to  me  how  very  much  she  was  delighted  with  my  acting  the  comedy, 
the  third  act,  and  the  fifth.  He  added  that  she  did  not  like  Miss 
Faucit.^     It  was  curious  to  see  a  man  of  Bulwer 's  great  mind  evidently 

^  In  later  years,  after  her  marriage  with  Mr.,  eventually  Sir,  Theodore  Martin,  Miss  Faucit 
became  ».  persona  grata  with  Queen  Victoria,  as  is  shown  by  the  following  letter  written  to 
Macready  not  long  before  his  death — 

"  31,  Onslow  Square, 

'■'■March  2nd,  /70. 

"Will  you  accept,  my  very  dear  friend,  my  heartiest  greetings  on  your  Birthday,  with 
my  best  wishes  that  it  may  find  you  in  better  health  than  when  I  last  heard  of  you. 

"  I  fear  this  trying  winter  has  been  hard  for  you  to  bear — all  have  suffered  more  or  less — 
but  now  we  may  believe  the  worst  is  over  and  may  we  all  revive  and  take  good  heart,  and 
look  up  hopefully  once  more  !  I  have  been  more  delicate  than  usual — only  getting  rid  of 
one  cold  to  fall  into  another.  This  has  brought  me  into  such  low  health  that  neuralgia  has 
seized  hold  of  me,  and  for  the  last  week  I  have  been  writhing  in  its  grasp.  However,  all 
will  be  well  soon,  no  doubt,  and  we  must  leave  this  exhausting  London  air  as  early  as 
possible  in  the  season. 

*'  The  Queen  honoured  us  again  this  winter  with  an  invitation  to  Osborne  for  five  days. 
The  first  time  I  saw  Her  Majesty  the  morning  after  our  arrival,  she  asked  most  kindly  after 
your  health  and  said  with  what  great  regret  she  had  heard  of  the  loss  you  had  sustained  and 
with  what  pathetic  and  tender  interest  it  was  all  entwined.  H.M.  has  the  most  winning 
way  with  her  !  All  who  converse  with  her  are  soon  made  her  captives.  I  am  sure  this 
arises  from  the  kindness  of  her  heart.  This  makes  her  remember  everything  that  is  kind  and 
gracious  and  is  a  right  queenly  part  of  her  character.  We  dined  twice  at  the  Queen's  own 
table,  where  since  the  Prince's  death  only  a  very  small  number  meet  daily  by  H.M.'s 
special  invitation.  I  think  I  told  you  before  that  I  had  often  been  asked  to  read  to  the 
Queen  in  the  evenings  when  she  retires  to  her  own  private  drawing-room  with  only  the 
Princess.  On  this  occasion  I  read  twice.  On  the  first  evening  Dora  and  some  of 
Tennyson's  short  poems — on  the  second  Lady  Geraldine's  Courtship.  I  read  usually  what  I 
like,  but  consult  with  the  Princess  as  to  the  authors  and  poets  the  Queen  likes  best.  H.M. 
admires  Mrs.  Browning  immensely.  I  had  her  own  private  copy  to  select  and  read  from  and 
found  it  marked  admiringly  from  beginning  to  end.  But,  oddly,  she  does  not  care  for  Mr. 
Browning — says  she  cannot  understand  him.  I  wish  the  Queen  had  time  to  read  for  herself 
The  Ring  and  the  Book.  How  she  would  change  her  opinion  !  What  a  grand  poem  it  is  1 
The  drawing  of  even  that  one  character  alone — the  fine,  dear  old  Pope — would  make  it 
immortal. 

"Do  you  remember  who  first  put  Tennyson  into  my  hand?     Your  remarks  upon  Dora 
and  otlier  of  your  favourites  still  remain,  and  I  never  read  the  poems  but  out  of  this  your  gift 
copy.     This  was  only  one  act  of  your  kindness.     I  have  many  others  to  remind  me,  if  I  ever 
wished  to  forget,  how  good  you  were  in  putting  things  before  me  to  help  to  work  upwards  I 
446 


UEI.EN    FAUCIT 

AS    PAULINE    IX    "the    LADY    OF    LYONS  ' 

From  a  lilhograph  by  R.  J.  Lane,  R.A. 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

so  much  delighted  by  the  praise  and  compliments  of  a  little  girl — 
because  a  Queen ! 

March  12th. — The  house  was  very  indifferent ;  this  was  a  blow. 
The  reputation  of  this  theatre  for  producing  Shakspearian  plays  ought 
to  have  commanded  more  attention.  I  give  up  all  hope !  Lay  down 
to  rest.  Acted  parts  of  Coriolanus  well ;  parts  not  to  satisfy  myself. 
Jerdan,  Dickens,  Bulwer,  Blanchard,  Forster,  came  into  my  room. 

March  ISth. — Read  the  newspapers,  and  in  them,  excepting  always 
the  eloquent  writer  in  the  Morning  Chronicle^  found  additional  cause 
to  regret  that  I  had  devoted  myself  to  the  ungrateful  task  of  striving 
to  win  the  opinions  of  such  profligate,  ignorant,  and  bad  men.  The 
labour  of  the  two  or  three  past  weeks  was  dismissed  by  the  Times  in 
about  six  lines  of  the  coldest,  faintest  kind  of  admission. 

March  20th. — Saw  the  Times  newspaper,  which  couples  the 
Coriolanus  with  the  Magic  Flute  ( !)  as  to  the  skill,  learning,  and  taste 
of  its  production — pronouncing  the  acting  merely  "passable."  My 
spirits  were  affected  by  this  infamous  attempt  to  injure  and  depreciate 
me.  A  note  from  that  ass.  Captain  Polhill,  about  the  entree  of  the 
stage,  which  I  answered.  Acted  Claude  Melnotte  in  a  middling  style ; 
was  called  for  and  well  received. 

March  21st. — Went  to  the  theatre,  reading  the  Foscari  upon  my 
way.  Arrived  there,  I  had  to  encounter  Mrs.  Glover,  who  came  in 
the  highest  tone  of  offended  dignity  to  complain  of  the  treatment  she 
had  received,  in  my  neither  having  called  on  her  nor  sent  the  money. 
The  fact  was,  I  informed  myself  of  her  health  through  the  messages 
taken  by  Partridge,  and  did  not  think  it  right  to  pay  her  salary,  as 
she  had  met  with  her  accident  in  seeking  to  deceive  and  defraud  me 
in  asking  leave  to  go  to  Brighton  to  see  her  son,  when,  as  it  after- 
wards appeared,  she  went  to  Coventry  to  play.  She  wished  to  have 
her  engagement  returned  to  her.  I  told  her  I  would  give  the  matter 
consideration,  but  could  not  answer  her  immediately.  Next  was 
introduced   Mr.   Wilson,   who  persisted   in  refusing  to  act  in  Amilie 


"  I  must  not  weary  you  longer  with  all  this  ^otistic  talk — especially  on  a  day  when  you 
will  have  so  many  friends  claiming  your  attention. 

"  Will  you  tell  dear  Mrs.  Macready  that  at  her  convenience  I  would  ask  an  account  of 
your  health.     That  it  may  be  a  good  one  I  earnestly  desire. 

"  Mr.  Martin  unites  in  all  kindest  wishes  and  regards  and  desiring  to  be  rememberetl  to 
Mrs.  Macready. 

"  I  am  always,  dear  Mr.  Macready, 

"  Your  very  afft.ctionate  friend, 

"  Helen  Faucit  Martin." 

447 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1838 

if  at  all  reduced.  I  spoke  to  him  with  great  temper  and  good-nature, 
but  also  with  firmness  as  to  my  intentions.  He,  after  a  long  discussion, 
yielded  the  point,  and  all  Avas  settled.  Read — or  tried  to  read — The 
Athenian  Captive y  but  was  obliged  to  give  the  two  last  acts  to  Serle, 
who  finished  it.  The  opinion  was  evidently  against  it.  Miss  Faucit 
came  to  refuse  her  part.  I  recommended  her,  against  her  will,  to  write 
me  a  note  of  expostulation,  and  consent  to  act  the  part ;  which  letter  I 
would  send  to  Talfourd. 

March  22nd. — Received  a  letter  from  Bulwer  returning  me  the 
cheque  for  j6210,  a  letter  which  is  a  recompense  for  much  ill-requited 
labour  and  unpitied  suffering ;  it  is  an  honour  to  him,  and  a  subject 
of  pride  to  myself.  Acted  Claude  Melnotte  very  well — though  the 
audience  were  cold ;  was  called  for,  and  very  warmly  received. 

March  28rd. — Looked  at  the  newspapers,  in  which  I  read  an 
advertisement  for  a  dinner  to  Mr.  C.  Kean,  to  present  him  with  a 
piece  of  plate,  Lord  Morpeth  in  the  chair !  This  is  to  take  place  in 
the  saloon  of  Drury  Lane  theatre  (a  fitting  place  for  such  an  exhibition) 
on  the  30th  inst.  How  long  is  the  intelligence  of  this  country  to  be 
insulted  by  his  quackeries?  I  was  not  angry,  but  really  the  stolidity 
of  the  many,  and  the  knavery  of  the  few,  make  it  difficult  to  keep 
one's  patience. 

March  25th. — Looked  at  the  Examiner.  The  other  papers  that  I 
heard  of  only  irritated,  sickened,  and  disgusted  me,  showing  me  what 
are  the  judges  to  whom  I  have  to  appeal,  and  making  me  impatient  of 
my  own  quixotism,  that  has  led  me  into  the  sacrifice  I  have  made ; 
it  will  soon,  however,  be  over,  and  let  the  work  of  gulling  and  gulli- 
bility go  on.  I  am  sick — sick  of  it  all.  Forster  called  and,  staying 
dinner,  read  a  very  interesting  letter  from  Savage  Landor. 

March  21ith. — A  pretty  girl,  with  a  strong  lisp,  came  to  present 
herself  as  a  would-be  Thespian.  I  thought  she  had  mistaken  her 
vocation  and  seemed  much  better  adapted  for  a  Cyprian.  I  did  not, 
however,  tell  her  so.  Acted  Claude  Melnotte  pretty  well ;  was  called 
for  and  warmly  received  by  the  audience.  Some  person,  a  lady,  I 
fancy,  sent  me  a  laurel  chaplet ;  I  do  not  see  the  exact  meaning  of  the 
anonymous  affair.  Wallace  came  into  my  room,  and  told  me  that 
he  had  seen  Mr.  C.  Kean  in  Hamlet,  and  Sir  Giles  Overreach,  and  in 
the  last  act  of  King  Richard — that  "he  had  nothing  in  him,"  that 
"he  could  not  stand."  This  is  an  authority  more  convincing  than 
any  I  have  yet  heard.  Faraday  sent  me  a  note  with  his  pamphlet  on 
electricity. 
448 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

March  SOth. — Received  a  letter  from  Talfourd,  enclosing  a  note 
from  Miss  Faucit.  Jerdan  called  in  answer  to  my  note  of  yesterday ; 
I  told  him  the  object  of  my  note  that  I  thought  Bulwer's  behaviour 
should  be  known,  and  that  he  might  be  happy  in  the  opportunity  of 
giving  publicity  to  it. 

March  31st. — ^Read  in  the  Literary  Gazette  Jerdan's  report  of 
Bulwer's  noble  conduct  to  me ;  in  the  Morning  Herald  the  report  of 
the  dinner  to  Mr.  C.  Eean  and  the  plate  presented  to  him ;  at  which 
ceremony  the  credit  of  having  restored  the  national  drama  was  given 
by  Lord  Clanricarde  ^  and  the  Morning  Herald  to  Mr.  C.  Kean ;  and 
the  wretched  creature,  Mr.  Bunn,  took  his  revenge  for  the  chastise- 
ment he  received  by  asserting  that  the  reason  he  had  hitherto  not  laid 
out  money  on  Shakspeare  was  because  till  now  he  had  not  been  able 
to  find  an  artist  capable  of  acting  his  characters.  It  is  well  that  such 
a  wretch  should  talk  thus ;  truth  even  in  degree  would  misbecome  him. 

April  1st. — Looked  at  the  newspapers ;  was  disgusted  (what  wonder 
at  a  newspaper?)  with  the  writer  in  John  Bull,  who  seems  now  trim- 
ming to  Mr.  C.  Kean,  whom  he  has  tried  to  stamp  with  the  impress 
of  mediocrity ;  he  also  writes  ignorantly  on  the  subject  of  Rome  in 
two  instances — one  the  site  of  the  temples,  the  other  the  habits  of 
the  slaves.  Wallace  called ;  told  us  that  in  consequence  of  a  reflection 
cast  upon  him  and  his  work  on  the  History  of  England,  he  had  sent 
a  retorting  letter  to  Lord  Mahon,^  who  had  (as  he  wished)  sent  a 
message  to  him  by  a  Mr.  Ashley;  that  S.  French,  M.P.,  was  his 
(W.'s)  friend,  and  that  after  some  negotiation,  it  was  agreed  that 
the  letters  on  both  sides  should  be  withdrawn.  Lord  Mahon  under- 
taking in  writing  to  give  a  satisfactory  explanation  and  retraction  in 
the  House  of  Commons. 

April  5th. — At  home  heard  of  the  death  of  poor  Miss  Stackpoole, 
who  taught  dear  Nina  music.  I  had  known  her  slightly  in  affluence, 
but  did  not  know  the  degree  of  poverty  to  which  she  had  been  reduced. 
My  heart  bled  to  hear  of  what  she  had  endured.  And  to  see  the 
success  of  cant  and  roguery  in  this  world.     My  God  I     My  God ! 

^  The  first  Marquis,  so  created  owing  to  the  influence  of  Canning,  whose  only  daughter 
he  married.  He  held  office  under  Lord  Palmerston,  but  the  revelations  of  a  cause  ciUbre  in 
which  he  was  indirectly  concerned  terminated  his  political  career. 

*  Philip  Henry  Stanhope  (1805-1875)  ;  afterwards  fifth  Earl  Stanhope,  the  well-known 
historian.  The  incident  is  noteworthy  as  being  one  of  the  few  instances  in  which  an  adverse 
criticism  gave  rise  to  an  interchange  of  hostile  messages.  Lord  Mahon,  one  of  the  mildest 
and  most  amiable  of  men,  was  the  last  person  willingly  to  give  offence  ;  but  in  those  days 
affairs  of  honour  were  still  settled  in  the  field,  and  Wallace's  "  retorting  letter  "  was  doublless 
of  a  nature  that  could  not  be  passed  over. 

VOL.  L  GO  449 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1838 

April  6th. — Rose,  rather  tired,  after  a  bad  night.  My  night  was 
disturbed  by  angry  and  passionate  thoughts.  How  strongly  returned 
upon  me  the  line  I  had  been  repeating — "  Fellest  foes,  whose  passions 
and  whose  plots  have  broke  their  sleep  to  take  the  one  the  other." 
My  ill-conditioned  nature,  ray  ill-disciplined  mind  is  a  constant  cause 
of  self-infliction.  God  send  that  I  may  so  instruct  my  blessed  children 
as  to  save  them  the  loss  of  quiet  and  of  time  that  my  evil  propensities 
induce !     Amen  I 

April  1th. — Acted  Foscari  very  well.  Was  very  warmly  received 
on  my  appearance;  was  called  for  at  the  end  of  the  tragedy  and 
received  by  the  whole  house  standing  up  and  waving  handkerchiefs 
with  great  enthusiasm.  Dickens,  Forster,  Procter,  Browning, 
Talfourd,  etc.,  came  into  my  room.  Jerdan  came  also  into  my  room 
and  talked  with  me  about  the  Garrick  Club,  which  he  wished  me  not 
to  leave.  The  operetta  of  Windsor  Castle  was  in  active  process  of 
damnation  as  I  left  the  theatre.  Note  from  Mrs.  C.  Buller,  wishing 
me  to  go  to  her  on  Wednesday. 

April  14<th. — Thackeray  came  to  the  evening  rehearsal  and  told 
me  that  he  had  written  the  criticism  on  Macbeth  in  the  Times,  but 
that  much  of  it  had  been  cut  out  ^ — that  in  what  he  wrote  of  Bulwer 
every  word  of  praise  was  omitted.  How  sick  I  am  of  that  scoundrel 
paper  1  Attended  the  night  rehearsal,  which  reduced  me  to  despair ; 
it  will  be  almost  a  miracle  if  the  piece  goes  through.  The  painter  has 
behaved  in  a  very  scandalous  manner.  At  the  last  moment  half-past 
twelve — when  all  was  over — settled  on  an  alteration  of  the  last  scene. 
Left  the  theatre  at  one. 

April  16th. — Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  was  engaged  incessantly 
the  whole  day  with  the  superintendence  of  the  Easter  piece.  The 
labour  was  oppressive.  Here  am  I  sacrificing  myself,  and  still  I  must 
ask,  for  what — for  whom  ?  At  a  quarter  past  four  I  lay  down  to  rest 
until  five  o'clock.  Notes  from  various  persons.  Acted  Macbeth  in 
an  odious  style;  was  called  for  and  well  received  by  the  audience. 
Spoke  to  Miss  Taylor  about  her  name  being  in  the  Haymarket  bills. 
She  said  she  thought  she  had  been  very  ill-used.  I  told  her  that  I 
heard  her  say  so  without  any  self-reproach.    The  afterpiece,^  to  which 

*  Thackeray  had  a  similar  experience  with  an  article  contributed  by  him  to  the  Edinburgh 
Review,  and  protested  against  the  curtailment  in  a  humorous  letter,  which  appears  in  The 
Correspondence  of  Macvey  Napier,  at  that  time  editor  of  the  Review. 

*  Sindbad,  the  Sailor  ;  or,  the  Valley  of  Diamonds.  The  pieces  performed  in  this  week 
were  :  Macbeth,  The  Lcuiy  of  Lyons,  The  Two  Foscari,  Coriolanus,  The  Hypocrite,  High 
Life  Below  Stairs,  and  the  opera  of  Amilie  ;  and  this  is  a  fair  sample  of  the  variety  of  per- 

450 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

I  carefully  attended,  was  not  over  until  nearly  half-past  twelve  ;  reached 
home  at  one. 

April  Yith. — H.  Smith  called,  and  told  me,  among  other  things, 
that  he  had  received  a  note  from  Mrs.  Leigh, ^  which  he  showed  me. 
In  it  she  said  "  that  she  had  not  been  able  to  go,  and  only  could 
afford  to  send  two  to  bring  her  the  news  of  Foscari's  success."  Sent 
for  Mrs.  Humby  (whom  Mr.  Webster  announced  in  his  bills  to  play 
this  evening)  and  desired  her  to  give  Mr.  Webster  notice  that  he  was 
not  authorized  to  put  her  name  in  the  bills  without  permission  from 
Covent  Garden.  She  assented  most  cheerfully,  and  asked  me  to  write 
her  a  copy  of  the  note.  Looked  over  Morning  Chronicle.  Read  over 
Claude  Melnotte.  Acted  the  part  very  well;  was  called  for  by  the 
audience  and  very  warmly  received. 

April  ISth. — Spoke  with  Willmott  and  Marshall  about  the  altera- 
tion of  Sindhad;  directions  were  given  about  it.  Talking  with  Serle, 
we  entered  into  a  discussion  of  the  practicability  of  carrying  on  i\\e 
theatre  next  year ;  Bartley  and  Robertson  came  in  and  participated 
in  the  conversation.  Much  as  I  lament  to  see  the  work  I  have  done 
fall  uselessly  into  nothing,  I  do  not  feel  that  I  can  with  propriety 
continue  in  the  direction  of  the  theatre.  Read  as  hard  as  I  could  the 
part  of  Foscari.  Acted  it  indifferently,  for  want  of  preparation ;  was 
called  for  and  well  received  by  the  audience.  Miss  Faucit  came  to 
my  room  to  speak  to  me  about  her  Benefit. 

April  19th. — Went  to  the  theatre ;  made  arrangements  for  closing 
the  house  on  the  16th  of  May — which  I  shall  do  unless  some  unlooked- 
for  turn  of  fortune  should  warrant  me  in  keeping  it  open  longer. 

April  20th. — Gave  the  evening  to  the  study  of  Thoas,^  a  bitter 
drug.  Account  from  the  theatre  most  wretched,  £55.  So  that  this 
at  least  tells  us  tha  value  of  CoriolanuSy  and  even  the  Foscari. 

April  21st. — Saw  the  papers,  and  went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  was 
startled  at  learning  that  there  was  only  just  enough  cash  to  meet  the 
day's  demands ;  and  this  included  the  remainder  of  my  Benefit.  The 
prospect  is  fearful.  I  sent  for  Willmott,  and  immediately  made 
arrangements  to  dismiss  Sindhad  from  the  bills,  and  reduce  every 
expense.  Went  to  the  Garrick  Club,  where  I  saw  White,  Collier, 
etc.     In  the  Committee  I  put  in  a  white  ball  to  Lord  de  Tabley, 


formances  given  under  Macready's  management,  himself  playing  in  four  of  them  [note  by 
Sir  F.  Pollock). 

^  Byron's  sister,  Augusta. 

*  In  Talfonrd's  Athenian  Captive  {note  by  Sir  F.  Pollock). 
GG2  451 


THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY  [1838 

but  did  not  ballot  for  the  friends  of  Messrs.  Oyle,  Evans,  and  Bacon. 
They  were  elected,  and  I  requested  Winston  to  take  my  name  off  the 
books,  *  knowing  nothing  of  the  two  latter  persons,  except  that  they 
were  the  intimate  associates  of  the  greatest  scoundrel  and  blackguard 
I  know  (Mr.  Bunn),  I  did  not  choose  to  meet  the  society  of  their  recom- 
mendation ;  that  if  hereafter  the  Club  should  undergo  re-organization 
I  should  be  very  happy  to  return  to  it.'  Stanfield  motioned  me  to 
return ;  this  was  strange,  as  he  was  most  resolute  to  leave  the  Club ! — 
but  men  are  very  uncertain.  On  consideration  I  regret  I  did  not  leave 
the  Club  without  any  notice  of  these  people.  Walked  home  and  in 
the  evening  learned  second  act  of  Thoas.     Oh,  what  a  life  I 

April  22nd. — Looked  at  the  newspapers  before  I  went  to  work. 
Very  uncomfortable  in  my  mind  from  apprehension  of  the  evil  con- 
sequences of  my  precipitate — at  least  ill-considered — splenetic  and  ill- 
tempered — (I  do  not  well  know  how  to  characterize  it) — ill-judged 
proceeding  yesterday  at  the  Garrick  Club.  I  felt  that  it  merited  a 
return  of  punishment  upon  me,  and  was  consequently  very  uneasy.  I 
thought  if  I  escaped  trouble  and  annoyance  upon  it,  that  I  would  be 
more  circumspect  in  future.  Gave  the  whole  day  to  learning  the 
words  of  Thoas,  which  I  find  a  more  diflBcult  task  than  any  of  the 
same  kind  I  have  ever  in  my  life  had  to  encounter ;  laboured  at  it,  but 
it  escaped  me,  after  I  had  gained  the  power  of  repeating  it.  It  is  so 
overloaded,  and  so  roundabout  the  subject.  Beazley  called  from  the 
Committee  of  the  Garrick  Club  to  say  how  very  sorry  they  all  were 
at  my  resignation,  which  they  would  not  accept ;  that  they  hoped  I 
would  not  persist  in  my  intention,  and  that  it  was  their  wish  that 
things  should  be  comfortable,  etc.,  all  in  a  very  kind  and  complimentary 
strain.  I  explained  to  him  my  motives  of  action,  and  that  I  did  not 
wish  either  to  injure  the  Club,  nor  the  feelings  of  those  to  be  elected, 
but  that  I  did  not  like  the  society  of  Mr.  Bunn*s  friends*  friends,  etc. 
As,  however,  they  complimented  me  by  asking  me  to  return,  I  could  in 
coiu"tesy  do  no  less.^  Forster  called  again  from  Talfourd,  to  ask  if 
he  might  invite  his  friends  to  supper.  I  was  obliged  to  say  Yes. 
Reflecting  afterwards  upon  the  consequences  of  failure  to  him,  I 
resolved  to  do  my  best  in  arranging  the  play  without  consulting  him. 
Forster  came  again  and  brought  me  carte  hlanche.  I  set  to  work  and 
worked  away. 

^  Macready  adds  in  a  footnote :  "  Forster  was  very  much  annoyed  at  my  assent  to  the 
request  of  the  Committee  of  the  Garrick  Club  to  return — and  yet  would  have  continued  a 
member  of  the  whole  year,  although  anxious  to  induce  me  to  leave  it  ! " 
452 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

April  23rd. — Rose  early,  and  applied  to  the  study  of  Thoas. 
Received  a  note  of  kind  expostulation  from  Jerdan  about  the  affair 
of  the  Garrick  Club — which  I  received  as  it  was  intended,  and  answered 
in  the  same  tone.  Wrote  a  note  to  Forster,  requesting  him  to  call  at 
the  theatre  about  the  cutting  of  Talfourd's  play.  Went  to  the  theatre, 
where  I  rehearsed  The  Athenian  Captive.  Forster  and  Dickens  called  at 
the  theatre,  and  I  submitted  to  them  the  proposed  omission  of  two  scenes. 

April  S,4ith. — Heard  to  my  great  disgust  from  Forster  that  Mr. 
Webster  is  actually  a  member  of  the  Garrick  Club ! ! !  This  puts  the 
seal  upon  the  door.     I  will  not  have  anything  more  to  do  with  it.^ 

April  9,6th. — Rehearsed  The  Athenian  Captive,  in  which  I  find  no 
effect  for  my  character.  Arranged  business  with  Head,  Marshall,  etc. 
Talfourd  called.  I  told  him  that  my  part  had  no  effect  in  it,  that  the 
play  lay  upon  Mrs.  Warner  and  Mr.  Anderson.  Willmott  called  with 
a  note  from  Mr.  Warner  informing  Bartley  of  Mrs.  Warner's  sudden 
indisposition  (her  labour  having  come  unexpectedly  upon  her).  Mrs. 
Clifford  had  Volumnia  sent  to  her  and  we  talked  over  the  business  of 
the  ensuing  week,  deciding  on  closing  the  theatre  Saturday  night. 
Forster  came  in  great  fuss  about  the  postponement  of  The  Athenian 
Captive,  and  busying  himself  very  much,  set  off  to  find  Talfourd  and 
apprise  him  of  the  disappointment.  Acted  Coriolanus  pretty  well. 
Talfourd,  Dickens,  and  Forster  came  and  debated  on  what  was  to  be 
done.  Talfourd  who  had  come  from  Lord  Lansdowne's  dinner  party, 
went  up  with  Forster,  etc.,  to  see  Miss  H.  Faucit  and  ask  her  to  act 
the  part.  She  entertained  the  subject,  but  could  give  no  answer  till 
the  morrow. 

April  Tlth. — Sent  Partridge  up  to  Miss  Faucit  for  her  answer. 
She  very  soon  afterwards  arrived,  and  agreed  to  play  Ismene  in  The 
Athenian  Captive,  but  just  before  her  entrance  a  note  came  from 
Mrs.  Talfourd,  written  in  a  less  courteous  strain  than  I  would  write 
to  any  servant,  or  poor  trades-person — it  is  an  outrage  on  good 
breeding  and  decency  which  I  never  would  have  permitted  a  wife  or 
sister  of  mine  to  have  been  guilty  of — it  was  shocking.  I  sent  it  to 
Forster,  from  whom  I  had  just  received  a  note  of  inquiry,  and  detained 
Miss  Faucit,  that  I  might  tell  her  what  she  was  to  do.  Mrs.  Talfourd's 
note  was  to  the  effect  of  declining  Miss  Faucit's  performance  of 
Ismene,  which  Talfourd  had  last  night  requested  her  to  perform  I  I 
had  sent  Bartley  in  quest  of  Talfourd  to  Westminster  Hall,  to  learn 

^  Macready  had  for  some  time  been  on  bad  terms  with  Webster,  against  whose  character 
there  was  nothing  to  disqualify  him  for  membership  of  the  Club, 

453 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1888 

from  him  distinctly  whether  the  play  was  or  was  not  to  be  acted. 
Bartley  had  been  calling  on  Mrs.  Talfourd,  and  described  her  in  a 
state  of  excitement  little  short  of  frenzy.  I  fear  he  has  done  no  good, 
if  he  has  not  done  actual  mischief.  Forster  and  Dickens  came,  the 
former  loudly  indignant  at  Talfourd's  weakness,  and  at  being  made, 
as  he  termed  it,  such  an  ass  of  by  Talfourd.  They  sat  long  waiting 
for  Bartley's  return,  who  came  unsuccessfully  back,  and  whom  I  again 
despatched  to  Talfourd's  chambers.  Dickens  told  me  one  thing  that 
pained  me  much — for  human  nature,  as  well  as  for  the  individual.  I 
had  mentioned  to  him  Mrs.  Talfourd's  visit  here  (after  her  very  cold 
reception  at  her  own  house  of  Catherine  and  Letitia)  and  her  extrava- 
gant tone  of  cordiality.  He  said  :  "  Yes,  I  saw  her  after,  and  she 
told  me  she  was  *  quite  fatigued  with  over-acting.^  "  This  is  about 
as  bad  an  instance  of  duplicity  and  bad  feeling  as  I  ever  heard  of  in 
friendly  social  intercourse.  Bartley  at  length  arrived  with  Talfourd — 
and  a  more  melancholy,  pitiable  sight  I  think  I  never  saw  than  the 
poor  dejected  fellow.  I  truly  pitied  him.  He  was  depressed  almost 
to  tears ;  I  got  Willmott  out  of  the  room,  as  I  thought  he  might 

wish  to  say  something  and  I  did  not  desire  W to  witness  the  pain 

he  endured.  He  said  very  little — endeavoured  to  get  from  me  an 
expression  of  a  wish  that  the  play  should  be  done.  I  said,  as  I  had 
from  the  first  said,  that  "I  would  not  utter  one  word."  I  mentioned 
having  received  a  note  from  Mrs.  Talfourd,  which  too  manifestly  was 
the  result  of  feeling  and  temper — that  as  written  by  a  lady  I  could 
not  comment  upon  it  further  than  to  say :  *'  It  was  unmerited,  that 
I  had  not  deserved  it — it  was  an  injustice."  I  added  that  had  I  the 
same  occasion  twenty  or  twenty  thousand  times,  I  should  in  all  I  had 
said  or  done,  do  and  say  exactly  what  I  had  done — that  I  had  acted 
by  Talfourd  as  I  should  have  done  by  my  own  brother ;  that  it  was 
at  an  end,  etc.  We  shook  hands,  and  they  left  me  to  my  labours. 
April  9Sth. — Rehearsed  the  play  of  Romeo  and  Juliet ,  with  my  part 
of  Friar  Lawrence.  Settled  with  Marshall  the  scenery  for  Ion  and 
Romeo  and  Juliet,  and  with  Head  the  dresses  for  the  latter. 

April  29th. — I  told  Kenney  that  I  Jiad  cast  his  piece  of  Love 
Extempore y  and  was  satisfied  that  Harley  would  do  the  part  in  it  well. 
Forster  called,  and  showed  me  a  note  from  Talfourd,  in  which  I  must 
say  he  manifested  an  abject  spirit,  observing,  that  "if  Bartley  were  to 
call  at  his  house,  whilst  he  were  at  home,  Mrs.  Talfourd  might  perhaps 
be  worked  upon  to  consent  to  its  performance."  The  tone  of  the  note 
was  most  unmanly  and  most  pitiable.     Forster  told  me  much  about 

454 


1838]  THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Mr.  Bartley  that  leads  me  to  believe  he  has  been  most  impertinently 
communicative,  if  not  treacherous.  Much  of  Mrs.  Talfourd's  silly 
intemperance  of  conduct  has  been  evidently  fomented  by  the  busy  inter- 
ference of  this  faithless  servant.  Read  over  the  acts  of  King  Lear. 
Went  to  dine  with  Dickens,  at  whose  house  I  met  Procter,  Ainsworth, 
Bell  of  the  True  Sun,  and  Forster.     An  agreeable  day. 

April  SOth. — Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  attended  to  the  various 
matters  requiring  inspection,  etc.,  in  the  painting-room  and  wardrobe. 
Rehearsed  the  play  of  Romeo  and  Juliet  with  much  attention.  Received 
two  books  of  The  Athenian  Captive  from  Talfourd  with  his  "regards, 
thanks,  and  regrets."  Read  over  Friar  Lawrence.  Acted  it.  I  find 
the  playing  a  part  of  this  sort,  with  no  direct  character  to  sustain,  no 
effort  to  make,  no  power  of  perceiving  an  impression  made,  to  be  a 
very  disagreeable  and  unprofitable  task.  Having  required  many  of  the 
actors  to  do  what  they  conceived  beneath  them,  perhaps  it  was  only  a 
just  sacrifice  to  their  opinions  to  concede  so  far — but  it  is  for  the  first 
and  last  time. 

May  2nd. — Bartley  called  in,  and  told  me  that  the  Edinburgh 
papers  had  turned  round  upon  Mr.  C.  Kean.  I  lay  down  on  bed  to 
rest,  and  read  Lear.  Acted  the  part — not  to  my  own  satisfaction,  but 
apparently  to  the  content  of  the  audience.  Liston  was  in  the  green- 
room, and  rather  drunk.  I  saw  him  for  a  few  minutes.  Was  called 
for  by  the  audience  and  very  kindly  received.  Bulwer  came  into  my 
room  to  inquire  after  the  circumstances  of  Talfourd's  tragedy. 

May  3rd. — Robertson  and  Bartley  came  into  my  room  ;  the  receipt 
vra/s  so  bad  that  I  was  obliged  to  decide  on  closing  the  house  on 
Thursday. 

May  4f/i. — Lay  down  to  rest  and  read  Ion,  which  I  did  diligently. 
Acted  Ion  tamely — indifferently.  Forster  and  Knowles  came  in.  Mr. 
Serjeant  Talfourd  had  taken  a  private  box  and  paid  for  it !  This  is 
the  climax  of  their  disgusting  behaviour — having  the  freedom  of  the 
theatre  and  the  privilege  of  sending,  when  they  pleased,  for  a  private 
box.  Talfourd  was  in  the  box  with  the  rest,  which  was  most  miserable 
of  all — the  poor,  pitiful  creature  ! — and  this  is  a  man  ! — a  high  literary 
character,  a  philanthropist  and  a  legislator — mighty  God !  how  is  one 
to  judge  of  men  ?  He  has  done  me,  for  vain  and  selfish  purposes,  the 
greatest  possible  injury,  and  he  adds  insult  to  his  offensive  behaviour. 
(Written  upon  partial  information. — Saturday.) 

May  5th. — Found  that  I  had  prematurely  condemned  Talfourd  for 
the  insult  which  I  believed  him  to  have  offered  me  last  night  in  taking 

455 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1838 

and  paying  for  a  private  box.  The  box — with  another — had  been  taken 
for  The  Athenian  Captive,  and,  on  its  withdrawal,  transferred  to  the 
night  of  Ion.  This  shows  the  impropriety  of  forming  a  judgment 
without  due  inquiry.  I  have  wronged  Talfourd  by  the  accusation  I 
yesterday  made  against  him.  I  am  very  sorry  for  it — have  been  very 
wrong.  Acted  Jacques  pretty  well,  not  so  well  as  I  could  and  ought 
to  have  done.  Was  called  for  but  did  not  go  on.  Saw  the  farce  of 
High  Life  Below  Stairs,  with  which  I  was  much  amused. 

May  1th. — Received  a  letter  from  Walker — at  Eton — about  his 
farce  of  the  Veiled  Portrait.  The  unblushing  selfishness  of  this  man  is 
almost  vexatious ;  I  was  so  indignant  with  him  that  I  wrote  a  very  angry 
answer,  but  afterwards  thought  it  was  not  worth  my  while  to  be  angry 
"with  such  a  snipe,"  and  that  I  would  treat  him  as  he  deserved  by  not 
replying  to  him  until  it  suited  my  convenience.  I  had  promised  him, 
when  I  endeavoured  to  get  the  piece  acted  for  him,  that  his  name 
should  not  be  known,  and  he  now  writes  to  hope  it  is  not.  If  he  does 
not  understand  the  confidence  which  should  subsist  between  gentlemen, 
I  will  teach  him.  Forster  gave  the  title  of  Woman''s  Wit;  or,  Lovers 
Disguises,  to  Knowles's  play. 

May  8th. — Read  the  papers.  Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  was 
first  in  the  house  (alas !  for  duty  paid  for).  Superintended  and  directed 
the  new  farce  of  the  Veiled  Portrait;  afterwards  read  Kenney's  farce 
of  Love  Extempore,  which  went  off  rather  heavily.  Dickens  called  with 
his  wife  and  Forster,  and  asked  me  to  dine  en  famille,  to  which  I  agreed. 
Dined  with  Dickens.  Forster  after  dinner  accompanied  me  to  the  Hay- 
market,  where  I  saw  an  act  and  a  half  of  a  most  wretchedly  acted  play, 
The  Wife;  it  was  offensive.  Passed  on  to  Madame  Vestris's  theatre, 
where  I  saw  a  stupid  piece  well  done. 

May  9th. — Acted  Melnotte  pretty  well.  Was  called  for  with  Miss 
Faucit,  for  whose  Benefit  it  was  acted,  and  well  received.  Arranged 
conclusively  the  characters  of  Woman^s  Wit,  and  sent  them  out.  Saw 
Dickens,  Blanchard  and  Cruikshank,^  the  caricaturist,  who  seemed  set 
in  for  a  hooze  in  Forster's  study.  I  am  much  more  comfortable  with 
a  cool  head  and  quiet  thoughts. 

May  12t/i. — Went  to  Hamley's  toy-shop,  where  I  bought  some  toys 
and  waited  for  Bryant's  coach.     On  my  journey  to  Elstree  read  the 

^  George  Cruikshank  (i 792-1878)  ;  the  well-known  caricaturist.     If  Macready's  suppo- 
sition was  correct,  Cruikshank  greatly  changed  his  habits  in  later  years,  when  he  became  a 
ervent  advocate  of  temperance.     His  chief  work,    The  Worship  of  Bacchus  (1862),  is  a 
Hogarthian  exposition  of  the  evils  resulting  from  alcohol. 
456 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Literary  Gazette,  and  some  scenes  of  Knowles's  play.  My  home,  my 
children,  and  the  quiet  of  the  country,  how  sweet  and  precious  every- 
thing seems  about  me. 

London,  May  14ith. — Took  leave  of  my  dear,  dear  home,  Nina  and 
Willie  running  up  to  the  village  with  me,  and  came  to  town — to  the 
theatre.  Went  over  the  part  of  Wolsey.  Acted  it  very  indifferently. 
This  sacrifice  of  my  time  and  thought  to  the  interest  of  others  begins 
to  tell  upon  me  in  my  inability  to  do  justice  to  myself  in  my  art. 

May  17t/f. — Looked  at  the  newspapers,  in  which  I  only  saw  fresh 
evidences  of  the  baseness  of  the  wretches  who  are  quartered  upon  them 
to  impede  the  progress  of  knowledge,  and,  like  the  monks  of  old,  per- 
petuate for  their  own  livelihood  the  ignorance  of  their  fellow-creatures. 
My  soul  sickens  at  them,  and  at  the  gross  selfishness  of  this  disgusting 
world — disgusting  as  to  the  moral  constitution  of  it.  Went  to  the 
theatre,  and  rehearsed  Knowles's  play,  of  which  I  have  little  hope. 
Miss  Faucit  came  to  pester  me  about  a  room  to  herself,  to  be  free 
from  the  annoyance  of  Miss  Taylor's  noise !  Miss  Taylor  to  receive 
hints  about  her  part.  Forster  came  round  and  I  told  him  I  thought 
Miss  Taylor  and  Miss  Faucit  should  change  parts,  leaving  them  to  settle 
it  if  they  could. 

May  19th. — Rehearsed  Woman's  Wit.  Knowles  and  Forster  were 
present  at  the  early  part  of  the  rehearsal.  Knowles  was  very  much 
struck  with  the  beauty  of  the  scene  for  the  opening  of  the  play ;  he 
observed  to  me  :  **  My  dear  Mac,  for  all  the  plays  I  have  ever  written, 
there  has  never  been  done  so  much  as  is  given  in  this  one  scene."  He 
went  on  to  say,  he  would  "  set  to  work  on  Procida  without  delay  for 
me,"  etc.  Read  over  Melnotte,  being  anxious  to  play  it  well  on  the 
last  night.  Did  act  it  very  well,  and  was  very  enthusiastically  received 
when  called  on.  Went  to  Fonblanque's  with  Forster.  Saw  Hayward, 
F.  Reynolds,  Savage,  Dr.  Quin,  D'Orsay,  Savage  Landor,^  Bulwer, 
Lord  Nugent,^  etc.     Went  home  with  Forster,  who  got  tea  for  me. 

May  21st. — Gave  up  the  entire  morning  to  the  rehearsal  of 
Knowles's  play.  He  and  Forster  were  both  on  the  stage  the  whole 
morning.      Knowles  was  very  much  struck  with  the  mode  of  putting 

^  Walter  Savage  Landor  (1775-1864)  ;  the  distinguished  author;  he  had  returned  from 
Italy  in  1835,  and  in  1 83  8  took  up  his  residence  at  Bath,  where  he  remained  for  twenty  years, 
during  which  period  he  figured  prominently  in  the  literary  world,  both  as  a  brilliant  writer 
and  a  pugnacious  disputant. 

*  George  Nugent  Grenville  (l  788-1850)  ;  younger  son  of  the  first  Marquis  of  Buckingham. 
Succeeded  to  his  mother's  Irish  barony  of  Nugent  in  181 3.  Ridiculed  by  Canning,  and 
reviewed  by  Macaulay. 

457 


THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1888 

the  play  upon  the  stage,  drilling  the  actors,  and  teaching  them  their 
business ;  I  was  glad  he  was  present  that  he  might  know,  in  any  event, 
his  trust  had  not  been  misplaced.  He  told  me  the  proprietors,  if  they 
knew  their  interests,  ought  to  give  me  £4000  per  annum  to  conduct 
their  theatre — about  the  amount  that  I  shall  give  to  them ! 

May  92rd. — From  six  o'clock  to  eight  I  was  boring  at  the  con- 
cluding speech  of  the  play,  having  closed  my  eyes  with  it  last  night,  and 
could  not  get  it  into  my  head.  Saw  the  papers,  and  went  to  rehearsal. 
Rehearsed  the  play  of  Woman^s  Wit,  and  attended  to  all  the  various 
matters  connected  with  it ;  scenes,  dresses,  etc.  Read  over  my  own 
part,  and  laboured  at  the  concluding  speech,  writing  it  out  repeatedly 
from  memory,  but  unavailingly,  to  make  a  secure  lodgment  with  it. 
Acted  Walsingham  ^  in  a  very  crude,  nervous,  unsatisfactory  manner. 
Avoided  a  call  by  going  before  the  curtain  to  give  out  the  play ;  there 
was  very  great  enthusiasm.  Led  on  Knowles  in  obedience  to  the  call 
of  the  audience.  Bulwer,  Lardner,  Beazley,  Forster,  and  Dickens  came 
into  the  green-room.  Much  offended  with  Miss  Faucit,  refusing  to  go 
on,  led  by  Mr.  Anderson,  taking  Miss  Taylor's  hand  from  him,  and 
forcing  her  on.     These  are  players ! 

May  24t/i. — Went  over  the  part  of  Walsingham  in  bed.  Read  the 
newspapers,  all  of  which,  except  the  Times,  gave  liberal  notices  of  last 
night.  Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  spoke  to  Miss  Taylor  about  the 
affront  offered  to  Mr.  Anderson,  in  which  she  had  no  participation. 
Attended  to  part  of  the  cutting  of  the  play.  Spoke  to  Miss  Faucit  on 
her  behaviour  to  Mr.  Anderson.  She  was  at  last  penetrated  by  my 
rebuke,  and  promised  to  apologize  to  him.     She  behaved  very  well. 

May  9,5th. — Knowles  came  into  my  room.  I  told  him  to  go  to 
the  Literary  Fund  dinner  to-morrow.  He  borrowed  two  sovereigns 
of  me  for  a  person  who,  he  said,  actually  wanted  food.  I  ought  to 
have  given  him  some  assistance — it  was  a  great  neglect ;  I  was  acting, 
and  forgot  my  duty. 

May  Wth. — Wrote  to  Bulwer,  saying  I  should  be  glad  to  see  him 
if  he  were  strolling  near ;  I  wish  to  ask  him  if  I  can  be  of  any  use  to 
him  in  improving  his  elocution. 

May  9,8th. — My  spirits  were  very  low.  I  believe  they  were  not 
raised  by  reading  the  account  of  the  Literary  Fund  dinner.  I  feel  my 
folly  in  supposing  that  a  man  has  any  chance  who  wages  war  with 
charlatanry  and  blackguardism.  It  is  a  hopeless  struggle.  My  spirits 
were  broken  down.      My  mind  has  had  its  share  of  care  and  grief. 

^  Macready's  part  in  IVoman's  Wit. 
458 


1838]  THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Dozed  away  the  afternoon,  vainly  endeavouring  to  read.  Acted  very 
drowsily  indeed.  I  feel  wretched  to  a  pitch  of  impatience  that  is  most 
painful. 

May  29th. — Had  a  long  conversation  with  Bartley  and  Robertson 
on  the  conduct  of  next  season ;  they,  but  more  particularly  Bartley, 
seemed  to  be  very  anxious  that  I  should  be  continued,  with  safety  to 
myself,  in  the  management.  Bartley  mentioned  that  the  actors  were 
to  meet  on  Thursday,  and  that  Serle  had  a  plan  to  propose,  but  that 
this  plan  included  an  operatic  company.  I  am  nearly  certain  Serle's 
plan  must  be  of  a  republican  character,  with  which  I  said  I  would  have 
nothing  to  do ;  as  a  director  I  must  be  a  despot,  or  serve.  Dined  with 
Forster  and  Dickens.  Forster  told  me  of  Talfourd's  little  conduct — 
eulogizing  Mr.  C.  Kean's  great  talents  and  no  word  to  bestow  on 
Knowles  in  his  play,  nor  on  me  except  as  to  my  sacrifices  and  getting 
up  of  plays !  Dickens  and  Forster  were  disgusted  with  him.  Wrote  to 
Babbage  for  a  voucher  for  Herschel's  ^  dinner.  Acted  Walsingham 
middling  ly. 

Marj  SOth. — Finished  the  number  of  NicMehy  in  bed ;  talked  with 
Forster  on  the  subject  of  next  season's  management,  upon  which  he  is 
as  usual  very  sanguine.  Miss  Faucit  came,  on  my  invitation,  into  my 
room.  I  wished  to  speak  with  her,  but  our  conference  was  very  short, 
as  she  was  rather  sullen  and  reserved.  Bulwer  came  in.  I  told  him 
that  Forster  had  mentioned  to  me  how  anxious  he  was  to  endeavour 
to  improve  his  elocution,  and  that  if  I  could  be  of  any  assistance  to 
him  in  that  respect,  I  should  be  most  happy.  He  seemed  very  much 
obliged  and  pleased,  and  though  doubtful  of  a  good  result,  would  be 
happy  to  receive  my  assistance.^ 

May  31st. — After  the  interlude  ^  was  over,  Warde,  Harley, 
Meadows,  and  Stanfield  came  into  my  room  to  ask  me  to  step  into  the 
green-room,  where  I  found  my  company  assembled.  They  all  stood  up 
as  I  entered,  and  I  bowed  to  them,  and  Bartley  addressed  me  in  their 
names,  deputed  by  them.  I  cannot  remember  his  speech,  but  it  was 
very  well  arranged  and  delivered,  to  the  effect  that  they,  '*  the  com- 
pany, had  been  deeply  penetrated  by  the  part  I  had  taken  in  standing 
forward  to  champion  the  cause  of  the  fallen  drama,  and  been  sensibly 

^  Sir  John  Frederick  William  Herschel  (1792-1871);  the  famous  astronomer  ;  he  was 
created  a  baronet  in  1838. 

*  Sir  E.  Bulwer  Lytton's  delivery  was  defective  to  the  last,  but  in  spite  of  it  he  made  a 
reputation  as  a  Parliamentary  speaker,  attaining,  during  his  second  period  in  the  House  of 
Commons,  a  position  only  just  short  of  the  first  rank. 

'  The  performances  of  this  evening  were  :  IVomans  H'it,  The  Original,  and  High  Lift 
Below  Stairs  {twte  by  Sir  F.  Pollock). 

459 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1838 

alive  to  the  labours  I  had  encountered,  and  the  sacrifices  I  had  made 
for  the  drama's  sake ;  that  they  wished  me  to  be  apprised  of  their  high 
appreciation  of  my  noble  conduct,  of  my  uniform  deportment  towards 
them,  and  of  the  various  acts  that  together  had  brought  back  to  them 
a  season  equal  in  its  effects  to  them  to  the  best  days  of  the  drama 
within  the  memory  of  the  oldest  actor ;  that  they  were  well  aware  I 
should  be  most  pleased  with  any  testimonial  of  their  regard  in  pro- 
portion to  its  unostentatiousness,  and  therefore  they  had  selected  the 
simplest  offering  as  a  mere  tablet,  on  which  to  inscribe  their  names  and 
record  their  gratitude  to  me ;  that  though  it  possessed  little  value 
beyond  that,  yet  that  perhaps  on  some  occasion  it  might  find  a  place 
upon  my  sideboard,  and  that  Mrs.  Macready,  and  perhaps  my  children, 
might  derive  some  little  pleasure  from  the  sight  of  it."  The  salver 
was  produced  and  the  inscription  read.  He  was  affected  as  he  closed 
his  speech,  which  I  can  only  very  imperfectly  recollect.  I  am  nearly 
as  much  at  a  loss  to  recollect  the  particulars  of  my  reply ;  he  said  some- 
thing about  "the  motives"  of  my  undertaking — I  forget  in  what 
manner.  As  nearly  as  I  can  remember,  I  said :  "  Ladies  and  Gentle- 
men,— I  am  utterly  at  a  loss  to  reply  to  what  has  been  so  kindly  com- 
municated to  me  from  you  by  our  common  friend,  Mr.  Bartley.  I 
really  do  not  know  how  to  thank  you.  I  am  wholly  unused  to  address 
extemporaneously  any  body  of  persons,  and  not  always  exact  in  the 
expression  of  my  ideas  in  ordinary  conversation.  I  thank  you  most 
truly.  I  can  say  little  more  than  this,  but  whilst  I  assure  you  that  I 
feel  most  gratefully  your  kindness  in  this  instance,  I  must  also  be  per- 
mitted to  say  that  I  regret  it ;  I  regret  that,  in  your  wish  to  testify  your 
estimation  of  my  conduct,  you  should  have  altered  the  high  position 
on  which  we  stood  relatively  to  each  other — it  would  have  been  far  more 
gratifying  to  me  to  have  received  the  record  of  your  kind  appreciation 
on  even  perishable  paper  (which,  however,  never  could  have  perished 
while  I  or  any  dear  to  me  could  have  preserved  it)  and  have  held  faith 
in  the  sincerity  of  its  declaration.  But  as  it  is  I  can  only  again  thank 
you,  and  assure  you  how  truly  I  value  this  testimony  of  your  regard. 
I  truly  and  gratefully  thank  you.  Mr.  Bartley  has  alluded  to  the 
*  motives  '  which  induced  me  to  embark  on  this  speculation  or  experi- 
ment. I  may  observe  that  less  disinterested  motives  have  been  attri- 
buted to  me  by  some  persons  who  have  been  remarked  in  society  for  a 
most  ungenerous  hostility  to  our  cause,  and  who,  perhaps,  are  scarcely 
worthy  of  notice.  These  persons  have  laid  down  their  opinion  that  I 
took  the  theatre  *  only  to  fill  my  own  pockets.'  I  am  sure  you  give 
460 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

me  credit — indeed,  you  have  proved  so — for  motives  not  altogether 
mercenary  and  selfish.  And,  in  contradiction  of  these  persons'  asser- 
tion, I  need  but  refer  to  your  several  engagements  and  to  my  contract 
with  the  proprietors,  by  which  I  might  long  since  have  closed  the 
theatre  when  all  hope  of  reimbursing  myself  had  departed,  and  when 
I  could  only  continue  the  season  by  a  continuance  of  loss.  As  a  further 
evidence  that  my  motives  were  not  exclusively  selfish,  I  had  pledged 
myself,  before  the  opening  of  the  theatre,  to  Mr.  Robertson  and  Mr. 
Bartley  (and  I  am  glad  of  the  opportunity  of  mentioning  it)  to  pay  to 
the  full  the  salaries  of  those  performers  who  consented  to  their  reduc- 
tion, and  who  consented  to  share  with  me  in  part  the  risk  I  was  ventur- 
ing upon.  I  pledged  myself,  as  those  gentlemen  know,  to  pay  the 
full  amount  at  which  these  salaries  were  previously  rated  before  I 
touched  one  shilling  of  the  profits,  if  any  had  arisen  upon  the  season. 
I  may  also  refer  to  the  principles  on  which  the  theatre  has  been  con- 
ducted, to  show  that  my  motives  were  not  altogether  mercenary.  They 
were  in  fact  not  so.  Among  my  motives  the  primary  one  was  the  wisli 
to  elevate  my  art,  and  to  establish  an  asylum  for  it  and  my  brothers  and 
sisters  professing  it,  where  they  might  be  secure  of  equitable  treatment, 
of  friendly  consideration,  and  most  of  all,  of  that  respect  which  man 
should  show  to  man  or,  which  is  most  important,  which  man  should 
show  to  woman.  I  cannot  be  so  presumptuous  as  to  suppose  that  I 
have  been  able  to  give  universal  satisfaction ;  in  a  large  establishment 
like  this  the  interests  of  individuals  must  often  be  merged  in  that  of  the 
community,  but  I  may  ask  credit  for  intention.  I  have  endeavoured 
to  be  just,  and  though  perhaps  sometimes  I  may  have  been  betrayed 
into  a  manifestation  of  infirmity  of  temper,  I  have  at  least  striven  to 
make  kindness  go  hand  in  hand  with  justice.  Once  more  I  must  thank 
you ;  but  let  me  indulge  in  one  more  observation,  which  is,  that  in 
no  theatrical  season  I  remember  has  there  ever  been  less  discord 
between  a  company  and  its  manager,  a  circumstance  of  which  we  may 
all  be  justly  proud,  and  in  the  honour  of  which  we  generally  participate. 
In  again  repeating  my  thanks  to  you  I  may  mention  that,  in  a  letter 
addressed  to  me  on  business  at  the  beginning  of  the  season  by  a  gentle- 
man I  believe  now  present,  the  writer  told  me  that  I  was  regarded — 
yes,  he  intimated  widely — as  the  actors'  friend  ;  it  was  the  most  gratify- 
ing character  that  could  be  applied  to  me.  Let  me  believe  that  the 
testimonial  now  before  me  may  be  considered  by  me  as  an  attestation 
of  your  assent  to  the  justice  of  the  term,  and  let  me  entreat  of  you  that 
my  name  may  never  be  dissociated  from  the  appellation.     Thank  you 

461 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1838 

once  more,  truly  and  cordially !  "  I  shook  hands  with  those  near  rae 
and  left  the  room.  Stanfield,  Knowles,  Forster,  Bartley,  etc.,  came 
into  my  room ;  I  was  pleased  to  hear  that  Mrs.  H.  Phillips's  and 
Power's,  etc.,  names  were  inscribed  on  the  salver. 

Elstreef  June  2nd. — Walked  in  the  garden — a  day  of  complete 
relaxation  and  indulgence  spent  with  my  dear  children.  Entered  some 
arrears  of  record,  and  walked,  played  and  talked  away  the  day. 
Enjoyed  the  beauty  of  the  country  and  the  fineness  of  the  day.  Amused 
the  children  with  the  ascent  of  a  balloon  and  descent  of  parachute. 
Talked  away  the  evening. 

June  5tli. — Read  the  essay  on  '*  Envy  "  in  Bacon — endeavouring  to 
examine  myself  by  it.  Heard  a  strange  story  (an  incredible  one,  I 
should  say)  of  a  present  having  been  sent  from  that  wretched  fellow 
at  Drury  Lane  to  the  Queen.  Talked  away  my  time,  all  upon  the 
subject  of  next  year's  management.  Willmott  told  me  of  the  extrava- 
gant expectations  of  the  actors,  who  expected  to  share  with  me  in  the 
chance  of  their  salaries,  and  also  to  divide  any  surplus !  I  see  the 
impracticability  of  the  attempt  to  raise  them  from  the  condition  of 
serfs ;  they  have  not  the  nobleness  to  be  really  free ;  they  will  not  even 
with  example  make  a  sacrifice  to  be  so.  Found  Fox  at  Forster's ;  he 
stayed  very  late.  Knowles  proposed,  as  a  means  of  continuing  in  the 
management,  twenty  of  the  aristocracy  taking  private  boxes.  Fox 
suggested  fifty  persons  advancing  each  £50,  and  said  he  would  start  it. 

June  6th. — Looked  at  the  newspapers  and  set  myself  to  copy  out 
the  two  speeches  on  the  occasion  of  the  salver  on  Thursday  night  last 
for  Mr.  Fox,  who  called  in  before  I  had  finished  my  task.  When  I 
had  done,  I  handed  them  over  to  Forster,  who  said  he  would  copy 
them  for  insertion  in  the  Morning  Chronicle.  Had  a  long  conversation 
with  Robertson  about  Fox's  plan  of  raising  fifty  £50  loans,  on  which 
he  said  he  was  confident  the  proprietors  would  do  everything  requisite. 

June  1th. — Read  the  newspapers,  and  was  much  pleased  with  the 
insertion  of  the  account  of  the  actors'  tribute  to  me.  Harley  wished 
to  speak  with  me,  to  say  that  if  it  would  be  of  use,  or  were  needed, 
he  would  be  most  happy  to  put  down  a  sum  of  money  to  assist  the  con- 
tinuance of  my  management.  I  thanked  him  and  expressed  myself 
pleased  with  his  oflFer,  but  could  not  accept  it. 

June  9th. — Read  some  pages  of  Schlegel  on  Calderon's  writings, 

with  which  I  was  very  much  pleased,  and  which  made  me  immediately 

renew  the  desire,  if  not  adopt  the  resolution,  to  learn  Spanish.     Read 

the  newspapers.    It  is  curious  to  see  how  very  few  of  them — only  two — 

462 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

have  copied  the  account  of  the  tribute  paid  to  me  by  the  Covent  Garden 
actors ;  had  it  been  Mr.  Kean,  or  Mr.  Bunn,  or  any  blackguard,  how 
would  the  columns  have  blackened  with  it !  !  Bartley  came  in,  intro- 
ducing Vandenhoff,  arrived  from  America,  looking  very  well,  and  speak- 
ing of  his  great  success  in  a  tone  and  manner  that  convinced  me  it  was 
small.  I  was  very  civil  to  him.  Heard  news  of  the  American  theatres. 
Messrs.  White  and  Whitmore's  clerk,  Mr.  Green,  called,  and  spoke  to 
me  on  Mr.  Webster's  defence;  he  has  let  judgment  go  by  default, 
retaining  Mr.  Thesiger.     I  hope  that  gentleman  may  again  abuse  me. 

June  11th. — Miss  H.  Faucit  came  in,  and  I  had  a  long  conversation 
with  her  on  the  subject  of  her  next  year's  engagement,  she  saying  that 
her  friends  would  expect  her  to  receive  a  higher  salary ;  I  observing  that 
I  would  not  conduct  the  theatre  to  give  it,  and  warning  her  to  be 
liberal  and  just  in  her  engagements. 

June  19>th. — I  had  reflected  on  Forster's  recommendation  to  me  to 
subscribe  to  the  memorial  to  be  erected  in  commemoration  of  the  Duke 
of  Wellington's  military  achievements,  and  remarked  to  him  (though 
at  first,  in  my  general  estimation  of  the  Duke's  character  as  a  strictly 
honest  and  straightforward  man,  I  had  signified  my  intention  to  sub- 
scribe) that  I  thought  it  would  be  inconsistent  with  my  principles  to 
do  so ;  if  justice  to  the  full — even  to  overflowing — had  not  been 
rendered  him,  I  would  gladly  add  my  mite  of  tributary  gratitude  and 
respect,  but  he  has  been  certainly  remunerated  to  the  height  of  his 
great  deservings,  whilst  many  greater  minds — and  far  more  benevolent 
and  beneficial  to  mankind  in  their  labours  for  them — have  been  dis- 
regarded, or  meanly  requited.  Politicians — and  their  instruments, 
soldiers — are  enriched,  ennobled,  and,  as  far  as  brass  and  marble  will 
endure,  immortalized;  but  science,  art,  and  literature,  the  elevating 
and  purifying  elements  in  which  man's  spirit  should  cleanse  and  regener- 
ate itself,  are  inconsiderable  subjects  for  the  great  traders  in  place  and 
pension  to  sometimes  amuse  themselves  withal  I  Where  are  your 
statues,  Shakspeare,  Milton,  Bacon,  Locke,  Newton,  Watt,  Sir  John 
Eliot,  Hampden,  Burns,  Wordsworth,  Fielding,  Harvey,  and  the  many 
benefactors  and  blessers  of  your  kind?  Antiquity  has  left  us  the 
features  of  its  philosophers  and  poets  in  far  greater  proportion  to  their 
actual  number  than  it  has  of  its  statesmen  and  warriors,  who  were 
often  really  patriots  and  not  mere  traffickers  for  place.  I  do  not  think 
I  ought  to  give  what  I  owe  more  justly  to  others. 

June  14!th. — Leigh  Hunt  called  on  Forster ;  I  saw  him,  and  talked 
with  him  about  his  play,  assuring  him  that  I  would  give  my  whole 

463 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1838 

attention  to  it,  and  do  all  in  my  power  for  it.  I  was  quite  moved  in 
speaking  to  him.  It  is  curious  to  mark  the  revolutions  in  human 
affairs.  I  remember  when  Leigh  Hunt,  as  the  editor  of  the  Examiner, 
seemed  to  hold  my  destinies  in  his  grasp ;  as  the  person  on  whom,  in 
respect  to  this  play,  he  now  depends,  I  appear  to  have  his  in  my  keep- 
ing. Mr.  Webster  sent  up  his  card  and  came  in.  He  proposed  an 
engagement — asked  me  if  I  would  take  .£20  per  night.  I  said.  No ; 
that  I  did  not  wish  to  act,  and  would  take  nothing  under  £25  per  night 
for  four  nights  per  week  for  five  weeks.  He  said,  "  Well,  Mr.  Mac- 
ready,  I  will  give  it,"  and  named  the  time — the  middle  of  July.  He 
then  detained  me  till  past  five  o'clock,  disclaiming  any  malice  towards 
me,  making  very  lame  excuses,  and  saying  he  did  not  remember  that 
I  had  made  him  a  present  of  £50  when  leaving  the  theatre.  I  told  him 
I  would  not  act  Shakspeare's  tragedies  at  the  Haymarket,  to  which  he 
agreed — Knowles's  play  was  the  object.  Put  him  on  the  free  list. 
Forster  called  to  tell  me  of  Knowles's  distress  and  to  ask  if  I  would 
give  him  a  Benefit,  dividing  after  j£105.  I  said  No;  but  I  would 
divide  with  him  after  £60. 

June  15th. — Reflected  much  on  the  circumstances  of  .     It  is 

scarcely  to  be  wondered  at  that  she  should  be  keenly  alive  to  the 
influences  of  passion — but  it  is  not  right.  A  sterner  rule  of  conduct 
must  be  adopted  if  I  wish  to  be  happy  and  at  peace  with  myself.  Read 
the  newspapers,  and  saw  Knowles,  who  came  with  a  letter  from  Lord 
John  Russell,  implying  the  Queen's  intention  of  visiting  the  theatre 

after  the  Coronation.     I  went  with  K to  the  theatre,  and  spoke  to 

Robertson  about  the  extension  of  the  season  to  meet  the  possible  command. 

Elstree,  June  llth. — Sat  down  to  read  Leigh  Hunt's  play,  which 
I  did,  not  without  difficulty ;  the  unhappy  construction  so  deprives  it 
of  interest  that  I  cannot  entertain  a  hope  for  it,  which  on  every  account 
gives  me  great  concern.  Went  again  into  the  garden,  delighting  in  the 
sight  of  my  children  at  play ;  passed  a  luxurious,  idle  evening ;  all 
tranquil,  sweet,  and  happy  about  me. 

London,  June  18th. — Saw  Knowles,  who  gave  me  an  account  of  Lord 
Morpeth's  ^  Black  wall  dinner,  at  which  Knowles  had  told  him  in  his 
speech  that  he  was  "  the  first  of  his  order  from  whom  he  had  ever 
received  the  courtesy  of  hospitality."  Sent  Knowles  to  Lord  Conyng- 
ham  to  ascertain  if  there  is  to  be  a  command.     Read  the  newspapers, 

*  George  William  Frederick  Howard  (i 802-1 864),  Viscount  Morpeth,  afterwards  seventh 
Earl  of  Carlisle;  at   that   time   Irish   Secretary ;  subsequently   twice   Lord-Lieutenant   of 
Ireland.     Well   known  as  a  philanthropic  statesman ;   he  had    also   considerable  literary 
attainments. 
464 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

in  which  was  a  most  disgusting  account  of  the  duel  between  Lord 
Castlereagh  and  Monsieur  de  Melci/  eulogizing  the  behaviour  of  this 
profligate  puppy,  who  deserved  a  severe  horse-whipping — at  least  whose 
conduct  should  have  been  held  up  to  public  reprobation  instead  of 
approval.     What  a  world  I 

June  19th. — Forster,  Fox,  H.  Smith,  and  Wallace  came  into  my 
room.  The  three  former  went  with  me  to  Forster's  rooms  to  sup,  and 
hear  Hunt's  play;  but  we  supped  and  talked,  not  very  harmoniously, 
on  the  subject  of  the  plan  for  opening  the  theatre  next  season.  Forster 
quite  lost  his  temper. 

June  20th. — Received  a  note  from  Talfourd,  expressive  of  his 
gratification  at  my  invitation,  but  declining  on  the  plea  of  a  journey  to 
Bexley.  It  is  a  satisfaction  to  me  that  I  have  done  what  I  feel  to  have 
been  generous ;  it  is  not  always  that  we  can  see  the  advantage  of  being 
above  false  pride  and  standing  upon  our  supposed  dignity.  A  long 
discussion  with  Forster  upon  Leigh  Hunt's  play ;  he  is  very  uncomfort- 
ably placed  respecting  it,  and  would  have  me  in  the  imbroglio,  but  I 
cannot  lend  myself  to  it.  I  give  my  sincere  advice,  and  if  it  is  not 
taken,  I  will  entertain  no  compromise. 

June  21st. — Dickens  came  in.  Miss  Faucit  had  written  me  a  note, 
assenting  to  the  salary,  but  desiring  the  right  to  refuse  parts,  and 
wishing  for  a  dressing-room  to  herself.  She  came  to  my  room,  and, 
after  trying  if  she  would  give  up  the  point,  I  told  her  she  might  as 
well  have  done  so,  for  I  should  not  be  manager.  She  was  much 
concerned.  Kenney  was  there  early  in  the  evening,  and  repeated  the 
information  I  had  received  from  a  note  of  Robertson,  that  I  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  Athenaeum. 

June  22nd. — Notification  of  my  election  from  the  Athenaeum  Club. 

June  23rd. — Looked  at  the  papers,  which  now  more  than  ever 
disgust  one  with  the  perpetual  stuff  of  the  Coronation,  and  those 
to  be  concerned  in  it.  The  Morning  Post  mentioned — as  a  marvel — 
that  the  Duke  of  Nemours  "was  exposed  to  a  raging  sea  for  nearly 
twelve  hours,  and  we  understand  was  sea-sick  nearly  the  whole 
voyage!^'  Mighty  Heaven! — would  it  not  be  better  that  such  trash 
as  the  Duke  of  Nemours,  and  all  the  fools  and  sycophants  that  make 
up  their  mob  of  idolaters  were  buried  fathoms  below  the  surface,  rather 
than  that  the  reason  which  God  has  given  man  should  be  prostituted 
and  abased  to  such  vile  purpose  as  communicating  or  reading  such 
disgusting  absurdity  ?    Can  England  ever  be  intellectually  and  morally 

1  The  duel  was  caused  by  Lord  Castlereagh's  too  ardent  attentions  to  Grisi,  M.  de  Melci's 
wife.     He  fired  in  the  air,  but  was  wounded  in  the  wrist. 

VOL.1.  HH  4^5 


THE    DIARIES   OF    MACREADY  [1838 

free?  I  think — never.  Drury  Lane  with  its  advertisements  in  the 
papers  has  closed — only  opening  for  the  Coronation  night  I  Thus 
ends  for  the  present  season  the  impudence,  falsehood,  knavery,  and 
swagger  of  that  disgusting  scoundrel. 

Elstreey  June  24f/i. — Our  wedding  day.  To  Almighty  God  I  lift 
up  my  heart  in  earnest  thankfulness,  and  deep  but  I  hope  humble  joy, 
blessing  his  Holy  Name,  as  the  Giver  and  Author  of  the  countless 
blessings  and  vast  sum  of  good  I  have  received  in  the  dear  woman 
whose  life  has  been,  and  I  fervently  implore  of  God  long  may  be, 
partnered  with  mine.  Went  to  afternoon  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Dickens,  and  Forster  arrived.  Amused  ourselves  with  sending  up 
balloons  before  and  after  dinner.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haynes  Bayley 
arrived  just  as  dinner  was  announced.  A  cheerful  day.  My  blessings 
on  it — on  dearest  Catherine  and  my  blessed  children.     Amen ! 

London,  June  9.6th. — Blanchard  told  me  that  at  the  theatre  on 
Friday  night  Mr.  C.  Kean,  with  two  companions,  by  his  indecent 
behaviour — sneering  and  observing  upon  the  performance  of  the  Lady 
of  Lyons — attracted  the  attention  and  frequent  notice  of  those  around 
him ;  that  no  language  of  his  could  convey  at  all  an  adequate  idea  of 
the  insolent  and  offensive  conduct  of  this  vulgar-minded  and  conceited 
young  man.  There  is  no  genius  in  such  a  nature.  He  asked  my  auto- 
graph for  a  young  friend.  Forster  called,  as  also  Cattermole.  I  did 
not  feel  much  inclined  to  go  to  see  the  Coronation,  though  if  I  could 
have  done  so  without  much  trouble  I  would.  Webster  called  and 
expressed  the  great  pleasure  he  should  have,  in  case  of  my  relinquish- 
ment of  Co  vent  Garden,  to  make  my  engagement  last  to  the  end  of 
his  season  with  Knowles's  and  Bulwer's  plays.  Robertson  came  and 
we  talked  about  the  lease  of  the  theatre.  He  took  a  plan  I  had  written 
down ;  but  I  sent  to  him  afterwards  desiring  him  not  to  show  it  to  the 
proprietors  until  I  had  reconsidered  it,  and  also  to  send  me  the 
account  book,  that  I  might  look  it  well  over.  Acted  Claude  Melnotte 
— indifferently,  so  wearied  that  I  dropped  asleep  under  my  hairdresser ; 
was  called  for,  and  went  forward  with  Miss  Faucit. 

ElstreCf  June  91ih. — Cattermole  arrived  (to  my  surprise)  with  Mr. 
Froude.^  They  dined  with  us,  and  I  passed  a  most  agreeable  evening, 
being  very  much  pleased  with  the  intelligence  and  bonhomie  of  our 
new  guest.  ...  Is  the  pleasure  of  this  air — these  fields — the  presence 
of  my  dear  wife,  the  society  of  my  friends,  and  this  sight  of  my 
blessed  children  to  be  relinquished  for  the  puppet-show  of  a  Coronation  ? 

June  9Bth. — In  speaking  with  Catherine  about  a  future  lease  of 

^  John  Froude,  a  brother  of  the  eminent  historian. 
466 


1838]  THE  DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

Covent  Garden  theatre,  she  very  strongly  opposed  it.  Wrote  to 
Robertson  a  final  offer  to  the  proprietors. 

London  y  June  SOth. — Robertson  brought  me  word  that  the  pro- 
prietors agreed  to  the  proposal  I  had  given  in,  but  wished  something 
definite  about  surplus.  I  told  him  I  would  say  nothing ;  that  I  did  not 
intend  to  make  a  gift  to  them,  but  if  the  surplus  should  reach  to  a 
high  sum,  say  £7000,  I  should  consider  it  only  fair  that  they,  as  having 
participated  in  the  risk,  should  be  considered  in  the  remuneration ; 
that  I  should  send  them  £1000  on  such  account. 

July  2nd. — Webster  called,  and  seemed  greatly  disappointed  at  my 
continuance  at  Covent  Garden  theatre.  He,  however,  expressed  the 
most  friendly  intentions,  and  promised  to  call  on  Wednesday,  and  let 
me  know  if  he  could  spare  me  Mrs.  Clifford  on  our  opening. 

July  4ith. — Settled  to  close  the  theatre  on  Friday  next.  Miss  Faucit 
signed  a  fresh  engagement.  An  anonymous  letter  charging  Mr.  Kean 
with  indecent  noise. 

July  5th. — Acted  Claude  Melnotte  very  well,  was  called  for  and 
led  on  Miss  Faucit.  Many  bouquets  were  thrown  on  the  stage. 
Bulwer,  Talfourd,  Forster,  G.  Bucknill  came  into  my  room.  I  got 
away  as  fast  as  I  could,  and  came  home  in  the  carriage.  The  last 
night  of  my  performance  this  season  at  Covent  Garden.^ 

July  6th. — Went  into  the  box  to  hear  Bartley  deliver  the  closing 
speech ;  he  had  said  to  me  a  little  before  that  it  had  occurred  to  him 
the  audience  might  call  for  me ;  I  said  if  they  did  I  would  instantly 
run  out  of  the  theatre,  so  that  he  might  with  perfect  safety  say  I  was 
not  in  it.  The  audience  did  call  from  the  time  the  curtain  fell,  but 
not  strongly  enough,  till  Bartley  appeared,  when  their  vociferation  a 
good  deal  disconcerted  him,  and  a  momentary  darkening  of  the  lights, 
which  made  the  audience  laugh,  did  not  tend  to  restore  his  self- 
possession.  The  cheering  was  so  loud  and  long  on  his  announcement 
of  my  continuance  in  the  lessee-ship  tliat  I  thought  it  time  to  decamp, 
and  went  out  of  the  theatre.  I  saw  Serle  afterwards,  who  said  that 
the  address  had  been  most  fervently  received,  and  that  the  audience 
were  still  calling  uproariously  for  me.  I  sent  for  Catherine,  who  came 
down  to  the  carriage,  and  taking  Kenney  on  the  dickey,  to  set  him 
down  at  the  Regent's  Park,  we  started  for  Elstree.  Kenney  told  me 
that  the  attempt  had  been  made  to  bring  Mr.  C.  Kean  into  the 
Athenaeum,  but  that  it  had  failed. 

July  1th.— Took  leave  of  my  blessed  family,  and  came  to  town. 
Entering  Oxford  Street,  saw  a  man,  seemingly  of  a  baker's  trade, 

^  The  performances  were  Woman's  Wit  and  Fra  Diavolo  (note  by  Sir  F.  Pollock). 
HH2  467 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1838 

rush  at  a  chimney-sweeper  and  strike  at  him  first  with  a  basket  and 
then  with  his  fists,  which  brought  on  a  contest.  I  saw  before  me  in 
positive  colours  and  in  form  my  own  mad  folly  in  resenting  the  insult 
of  such  a  black  and  filthy  wretch  as  that  Mr.  Bunn — exposing  myself 
to  the  comments  of  the  lookers-on,  and  sure  to  bring  away  some  of 
the  dirt  from  such  a  filthy  subject.  It  actually  made  me  feel  sick  at 
the  stomach.  I  made  an  internal  vow  never  again,  if  it  were  possible, 
never  again  to  give  way  to  the  sin,  the  madness  of  passion. 

July  31st. — Called  on  Mr.  Anderson  at  the  Fleet  Prison — 
passing  through  the  galleries  and  seeing  the  persons  confined  there ; 
was  struck  with  the  inutility  of  such  a  punishment  I  Saw  Anderson, 
who  seemed  surprised  to  see  me ;  gave  him  a  cheque  for  £S0 ;  wished 
to  know  if  I  could  do  anything  further  for  him  or  his  wife — near  her 
confinement ;  expected  that  he  would  discharge  all  his  real  debts  on 
his  release,  and  parted  very  kindly  from  him.  Dined  at  Mrs. 
Haworth's,  met  Mr.  Lewis  and  family  and  Mr.  Leach ;  forgot  myself 
in  finding  fault  with  the  profession  of  a  barrister — otherwise  an 
agreeable  day  with  Tories. 

Augiist  2nd. — Acted  Mr.  Oakley  very  well.^    Miss was  behind 

the  scenes.  A  painful  example  of  the  pernicious  consequence  of  a 
young  girl  following  this  calling.  She  was  a  pretty  engaging  girl  two 
or  three  years  ago ;  now  her  appearance  only  suggests  the  idea  of  a 
second  or  third  class  girl  of  the  town  I 

August  3rd. — My  mind  was  occupied  for  some  time  in  endeavouring 
to  compute  my  pecuniary  loss  by  management.  I  find  I  managed  to 
lose,  as  I  first  thought,  judging  from  actual  decrease  of  capital,  and 
absence  of  profit  by  my  labour,  £2500,  or,  measuring  my  receipt  by 
the  previous  year,  .£1800.  It  is  a  painful  subject  for  rumination,  but 
repining  never  amended  misfortune.  Was  much  pleased  to  mark  the 
deep  interest  which  a  lady  in  the  stage-box  took  in  the  last  scene 
between  Lord  and  Lady  Townley.  These  are  the  sort  of  auditors  that 
lend  a  temporary  fascination  to  the  exercise  of  our  art. 

August  4!th. — Felt  at  the  rehearsal  that  my  part  must  fail  of  effect, 
and  in  consequence  became  very  low-spirited  and  uncomfortable;  but 
I  must  use  the  interval  as  I  best  can,  and  trust  in  the  Provident  Care 
that  has  hitherto  befriended  me.  Lay  down  on  bed,  reading  over  and 
attentively  considering  the  part  of  Thoas,  resolving  to  throw  as  much 
energy  as  I  could  into  it,  and  consoling  myself  with  the  thought  that 
one  indifferent  performance  could  not  ruin  me — a  very  bad  reflection 
to  resort  to.    Energy  and  confidence  in  one's  own  resolution  to  do  our 

*  Macready  was  now  acting  for  a  short  period  at  the  Haymarket  theatre. 
468 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

best,  with  faith  in  Providence,  is  the  best  tone  of  mind  in  such 
emergencies.  Acted  Thoas  with  vigour  and  effect ;  quite  bore  the  play 
on  my  own  strength.  Was  called  for  by  the  audience ;  went  on  leading 
Mrs.  Warner,  and  was  very  cordially  received.  Talfourd  came  into  ray 
room  in  a  state  of  high  excitement  and  delight ;  was  lavish  in  his  acknow- 
ledgments and  surprised,  as  he  expressed  himself,  at  the  effect  I  had 
produced.     Dickens,  Browning,  Forster,  Home  *  came  into  my  room. 

August  Sth. — Serle  called  and  told  me  that  he  had  arranged  with 
Webster  that  his  play  of  The  Spanish  Maid  should  be  the  first  novelty 
of  the  next  Haymarket  season.  He  also  told  me  that  he  had  spoken 
to  Oxenford,  who  was  busy  with  a  farce  for  Covent  Garden  theatre, 
who  had  told  him,  when  he  consulted  him  on  what  was  the  course  to 
pursue  about  the  Times,  that  he  himself  had  been  spoken  to  for 
writing  too  liberally  about  myself.  This,  with  Thackeray's  state- 
ment, is  surely  a  conclusive  proof,  if  any  were  wanting  to  the  evidence 
the  paper  itself  affords,  that  a  shameful  system  of  injury  is  practised 
against  me  by  that  paper.  Talfourd  came  into  my  room ;  talked  of 
*'his  friend,  C.  Kean  "  ( !),  and  told  me  of  Lord  Brougham's  insane 
conduct — that  he  had  become  of  late  extremely  obscene  in  his  con- 
versation, which  he  never  used  to  be;  that  the  other  night  at  the 
Duke  of  Sutherland's  he  said  :  "  Look  at  those  men.    Did  you  ever  see 

such  a  Ministry?    There  is  Lord  Melbourne  always ;  Lord  John 

Russell ;  and his  secretary  constantly "    What  a  state  of 

mind  !  Are  his  talents  worth  this  condition  of  heart  and  morals  ?  Note 
from  Dr.  Elliotson,  inviting  me  to  an  exhibition  of  animal  magnetism. 

London,  August  9th. — Went  to  lodging,  and  thence  to  Haymarket, 
where  I  took  pains  with  Thoas,  and  acted  it  better  than  I  had  done 
since  the  first  night.  Talfourd  came  into  my  room  and  afterwards 
Hayward,  who  wished  me  to  see  Lady  Harriet  D'Orsay '  and  Mrs. 
Norton  to  their  carriage.  I  dressed  and  went  to  their  box  ;  sat  through 
some  of  the  Artist's  Wife,  a  disagreeable  piece,  and  handed  them 
down  to  their  carriage.  Went  with  Talfourd  to  Hayward 's  chambers. 
Mrs.  Norton  and  Lady  H.  D'Orsay  were  there.  C.  Sheridan,  Blood, 
and  afterwards  Colonel  Lincoln  Stanhope  joined  the  party.  Blood's 
singing  was  delightful,  Lady  H.   D'Orsay— beautiful.     Stayed   to  a 

1  Richard  Hengist  Home  (i  803-1 884) ;  best  known  as  the  author  of  Orion,  an  epic 
poem,  published  at  a  farthing.     An  intimate  friend  of  Mrs.  Barrett  Browning. 

*  Lord  Blessington's  daughter  by  his  first  marriage.  Her  father  arranged  her  marriage 
with  D'Orsay,  which  turned  out  very  unhappily.  After  separating  from  him  she  contracted  a 
/mison  with  the  Due  d'Orleans  (Louis  Philippe's  heir),  and  eventually  married  the  Hon. 
Spencer  Cowper,  a  son  of  Lady  Palmerston  by  her  first  marriage.  It  was  said  that  Spencer 
Cowp)cr  won  her  from  D'Orsay  as  a  stake  at  ecati/. 

469 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1838 

very  late  hour.  Enjoyed  the  freshness  of  the  night  walking  home 
with  Blood  and  Lincoln  Stanhope. 

August  9,2nd. — Continued  my  work  on  the  book  of  the  Tempest. 
Agreed  to  take  13,  Cumberland  Terrace,  from  15th  September  to 
March  24th  at  £7  10s.  per  week. 

September  ISth. — After  dinner  read  Mrs.  Hemans's  Crusaders^  which 
leads  me  to  think  that  if  I  had  known  her  in  life,  and  she  had  con- 
sulted me  instead  of  that  thick-headed  man,  C.  Kemble,  or  that  puppy, 
Mr.  Harness,  she  would  have  written  a  successful  tragedy.  This  is 
vain,  but  I  feel  confident  of  it.  She  only  wanted  the  occasional  hint 
of  some  person  acquainted  with  stage  effect  in  composition.  Looked 
over  Shakspeare's  plays  of  King  Richard  II  and  King  Richard  III. 
Astonished  at  the  base  venality  of  the  disgusting  newspaper  writers — the 
wretches — who  dare  to  laud  the  fustian  of  Cibber,  and  tried  to  keep 
the  many  in  ignorance  by  praising  his  trash  called  Richard  III. 

Londouj  September  Ylth. — Went  to  Covent  Garden,  where  I  im- 
mediately entered  on  the  business  that  was  waiting  for  me.  Letters 
from  Bulwer  about  subject ;  Home,  about  an  annuity  to  be  subscribed 
for  Leigh  Hunt,  to  which  my  name  was  given  for  £5 ;  from  Wade 
about  his  play,  etc.  Much  business  was  before  me,  and  occupied  me 
variously  through  the  day ;  the  price  of  work  was  settled ;  the  ladies* 
rooms  appointed  and  settled ;  the  private  boxes,  lobbies,  and  whole  part 
of  the  theatre  inspected,  and  finally  settled  as  to  its  cleaning,  etc. 
The  expenses  of  the  men's  wardrobe  reduced,  and  alteration  made 
as  to  the  lighting ;  to  reduce  still  more  the  expenses,  question  about 
the  laundry  work — still,  still  imposition !  Scene-room,  wardrobe, 
carpenter's  room ;  business  with  all ;  cast  pieces  and  made  out  the  bill 
for  first  night. 

September  24t7i. — Began  the  day  with  packing  up  things  for  the 
theatre ;  looked  over  my  children's  sums,  and  read  in  Hamlet.  Went 
to  Covent  Garden  theatre  where  I  attended  the  rehearsal  of  High 
Life,  and  the  play  of  Coriolanus.  Arranged  and  read  my  letters,  giving 
several  to  Serle  and  Robertson  to  answer,  answering  others  myself. 
Spoke  with  Marshall  on  business,  and  was  fully  occupied  each  moment 
of  the  day.  Thought  of  what  I  would  say  if  I  were  to  be  called  on. 
Began  to  unpack  my  portmanteau  and  to  arrange  my  wardrobe,  etc., 
in  my  room.  Dressed  myself  and  prepared  for  the  play.  After  **  God 
save  the  Queen  "  there  was  a  general  call  for  myself.  I  went  down 
from  the  box,  and  returned  flurried,  prepared  to  go  on ;  the  reception 
of  the  audience  was  most  enthusiastic.  I  said  that  I  was  at  a  loss  to 
thank  them  for  the  compliment.  I  hoped  my  exertions  would  prove 
470 


1838] 


THE  DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 


the  estimation  I  set  upon  their  kind  opinion,  that  professions  were  of 
little  avail,  and  therefore  I  would  only  assure  them  that  unremitting 
zeal,  good  intentions,  and  good  faith  should  be  my  rules  of  conduct 
in  the  establishment.  I  was  to  play  Coriolanus,  which  is  certainly 
beautiful.  Bulwer  came  and  sat  it  out  with  me ;  he  talked  of  a  subject 
on  which  he  is  thinking.     A  fine  house. ^ 

^  Notice  had  been  given  of  the  re-opening  of  the  theatre  by  the  following  announcement : — 

THEATRE   ROYAL  COVENT   GARDEN. 


Mr.  Macready  begs  most  respectfully  to  announce  that  this 
Theatre  will  be  re-opened 

on  Monday t  September  2^k,  1838. 

In  entering  upon  this  second,  and  to  him  most  serious,  experiment,  he  will  only  say  the 
same  views  with  which  he  undertook  the  conduct  of  this  establishment  last  season  will  be 
followed  up,  and  his  more  specific  pledges  will  continue  to  be  strictly  fulfilled. 

Nu  exertion  will  be  spared  in  presenting  the  National  Drama,  whether  as  a  branch  ot 
literature  or  as  a  department  of  art,  with  every  advantage. 

The  revival  of  the  standard  plays  of  Shakspeare  in  the  genuine  text  of  the  Poet  will  be 
persevered  in  with  increased  activity,  and  without  regard  to  expense  in  attaining  the  utmost 
fidelity  of  historic  illustration. 

New  pieces  will  be  brought  out  in  quick  succession,  with  the  same  attention  to  decoration, 
especially  pieces  of  such  a  character  as  to  depend  mainly  upon  extrinsic  attractions  ;  and  the 
system  of  abstaining  from  all  exaggerated  and  delusive  announcements  in  the  playbills  will 
be  rigidly  adhered  to. 


Anderson, 

AVLIFFE, 

Bartley, 
G.  Bennett, 
Bedford, 
Burnett, 
Bender, 

COLLETT, 

Diddear, 
Elton, 

W.  Clifford, 

Charles, 

East, 

Helen  Faucit, 

Fairbrother, 

Griffiths, 


THE    COMPANY    OF    THE    SEASON    CONSISTS    OF 
Messrs. 

Eraser,  j   Roberts, 

Harley,  I  Serle, 

Howe,  Strickland, 

Leffler,  C.  J.  Smith, 

Lee,  Tilbury, 

Macready,  Vandenhofk, 

Meadows,  F.  Vining, 

T.  Mathews,  Warde, 

Phelps,  Waldron, 

W.  H.  Payne,  Yarnold,  Etc. 

Mesdames 

Garrick,  I   Serlb, 

P.  HoRTON,  Taylor, 

HUMBY,  VaNDENHOFF, 

E.  Phillips,  Warner, 

Rainforth,  Wortley,  Etc. 


Acting  Manager,  Mr.  Serle.  Musical  Director,  Mr.  T.  Cooke. 

Staee  Director,  Mr.  Willmott. 

{Note  by  Sir  F.  Pollock 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1888 

September  9,5th. — Read  the  new  drama  to  the  performers,  but  was 
disappointed  in  the  impression  I  hope  to  produce.  Bulwer  called  whilst 
I  was  reading  it.  I  told  him  I  did  not  think  it  possible  to  make  the 
Murder  of  Clytemnestra  palatable  to  an  English  audience.  He  seemed 
stiff  and  not  pleased  at  my  want  of  enthusiasm.  Read  the  papers ; 
heard  that  the  Times  was  as  disgusting  in  its  insidious  treatment  of  me 
and  my  exertions  as  ever. 

September  26th. — Spoke  to  Miss  Faucit  about  her  boy's  dress  for 
Imogen,  and  suggested  to  her,  on  the  supposition  that  her  legs  were 
rather  thin,  the  use  of  a  pair  of  fleeced  stockings  "  such  as  Malibran 
used  to  wear."  I  managed  this  "delicate  negotiation  "  as  dexterously 
as  I  could,  and  reconciled  her  easily  to  the  experiment ;  went  out  and 
purchased  a  pair  for  her,  which  were  sent  home  at  three  o'clock,  with 
a  pair  of  my  own,  and  I  gave  them  to  her.  Surprised  at  the  return 
of  the  house,  which  far  exceeded  my  expectations. 

October  1st. — Rose  early,  and,  after  looking  over  my  dear  children's 
lessons,  turned  over  the  leaves  of  Hamlet,  about  which  I  felt  very 
doubtful  and  uneasy.  Bade  good-bye  to  my  children  and  Catherine 
with  depression — that  was  a  misgiving.  Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I 
was  annoyed  by  finding  my  orders  and  intentions  completely  frustrated 
through  the  indolence  and  ignorance  of  the  persons  employed ;  the 
closet  scene,  which  I  had  intended  to  be  a  beautiful  effect,  was  neces- 
sarily left  in  its  original  state.  Rehearsed  the  play  very  feebly  and 
unsatisfactorily;  in  one  or  two  places  I  proved  to  myself  that  I  could 
act  the  character  well  if  I  could  only  throw  myself  heartily  and  naturally 
into  it.  Looked  at  my  letters.  Lay  down  on  my  bed,  which  I  was 
obliged  to  make  up  with  cloaks,  etc.  Rose  almost  hopeless,  nerved 
myself  as  I  dressed,  and  acted  Hamlet  perhaps  altogether  as  well  as  I 
have  ever  done ;  was  very  cordially  received,  and  called  on  afterwards 
with  much  enthusiasm. 

October  8th. — Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre ;  attended  to  busi- 
ness in  the  painting-room  and  stage,  etc.  Superintended  the  rehearsal 
of  the  three  last  acts  of  the  Tempest.  Head  came  to  me  to  go  over 
again  the  dresses  I  had  arranged  on  Saturday.  Lay  down,  slept,  and 
thought  of  Hamlet ;  acted  Hamlet  in  parts  tolerably  well.  His  advice 
to  the  players  I  never  gave  so  well ;  was  called  for,  and  well  received 
by  the  audience.  Settled  again  the  clothes  for  the  Tempest  with 
Head. 

October   13t/i. — Went  to  Covent   Garden   theatre.     Attended   to 
the  business  of  the  day.     Rehearsed  the  play  and  made  some  valuable 
472 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY 

alterations.  Read  Prospero  as  well  as  I  could;  acted  it  as  well  as  I 
could — but  how  could  I  act  it  well  with  the  excitement  and  load  of 
such  a  production  on  my  mind?  Was  greatly  received.  Called  for 
after  the  play,  and  received  again  with  enthusiasm.  Dickens  and 
Forster  went  to  our  box.  Spoke  to  Miss  P.  Horton  on  her  perform- 
ance ;  thanked  her  and  kissed  her.     Gave  largess  to  the  carpenters.^ 

October  14t/i. — Could  not  recover  myself  from  the  excitement  of 
last  night.  The  scenes  of  the  storm,  the  flights  of  Ariel,  and  the 
enthusiasm  of  the  house  were  constantly  recurring  to  me. 

October  15th. — Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  saw  the  newspapers, 
renewed  the  excitement  that  I  thought  had  subsided.  I  tried  to 
tranquillize  myself,  but  vainly.  This  is  not  a  life  to  live  for  one  who 
wishes  to  improve  himself  by  living — it  is  a  tempest  itself. 

October  16th. — Acted  Prospero  very  roughly — was  called  for,  and 
led  on  Miss  P.  Horton.     Spoke  to  Willmott  about  inaccuracies ;  to 

Mr.  W about  his  probable  arrest,  of  which  I  had  been  apprised 

by  Notter.  Would  not  permit  the  sheriff's  officer  to  enter  the  theatre, 
nor  would  I  consent  to  Mr.  W.'s  request  to  let  him  through  the 
private  boxes. 

October  22nd. — Bartley  brought  the  news  of  the  failure  of  the 
"  horse  and  beast  "  piece  at  Drury  Lane.  I  do  feel  thankful  for  this 
defeat  of  a  bad  man's  attempt  to  debase  still  lower  the  art  and  artists 
he  has  so  long  and  brutally  oppressed.  Serle  came  into  my  room ;  told 
me  that  Mr.  G.  Smith — in  the  John  Bull — had  violently  abused  the 
Tempest ! ! ! 

October  24tfe. — Letter  from  Bulwer  informing  me  that  he  had  made 
out  the  rough  sketch  of  a  play,  an  historical  comedy,  on  the  subject 
of  Richelieu.     I  answered  him,  delighted  at  the  news. 

October  25th. — For  the  last  two  days,  having  been  excited  by  the 
base  unmanly  conduct  of  the  papers,  the  Times,  Post,  and  Herald, 
who  have  been  lauding  the  trash  of  Ducrow  and  Van  Amburgh  ^  and 
depreciating  the  business  of  Covent  Garden  theatre,  I  have  suffered 
from  internal  throes  of  passion  and  indignation  until  life  has  felt  painful 
to  me.     In  my  prayers  I  have  failed  to  tranquillize  myself ;  my  suffcr- 

^  The  cast  of  the  principal  characters  in  the  Tempesl,  as  brought  out  by  Macready,  was  : 
Alonzo,  Mr.  Warde ;  Sebastian,  Mr.  Diddear  ;  Prospero,  Mr.  Macready;  Antonio,  Mr. 
Phelps ;  Ferdinand,  Mr.  Anderson ;  Caliban,  Mr.  G.  Bennett ;  Trinculo,  Mr.  Harley  ; 
Stephano,  Mr.  Bartley ;  Miranda,  Miss  Helen  Faucit ;  Ariel,  Miss  P.  Horton  ;  Iris,  Mrs. 
Serle ;  Juno,  Miss  Rainforth.  The  music  was  selected  from  the  works  of  Purcell,  Linley, 
and  Dr.  Arne  {note  by  Sir  F.  Pollock). 

'  Ducrow  the  equestrian,  and  Van  Amburgh  the  lion-tamer. 

473 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1838 

ings  have  been  most  acute;  these  circumstances  revive  all  I  have 
endured  from  that  mercenary  villain,  Thesiger,  and  the  vindictive 
sensations  I  undergo  are  terrible ;  I  lift  my  heart  to  God — but  in  vain. 
I  must  hope  for  repose  and  comfort,  or  I  shall  sink  under  the  torture 
of  mind  I  undergo. 

October  31st. — Looked  over  the  new  romance.  Acted  Melnotte 
tolerably  well.  Miss  Faucit  talked  about  declining  her  character  in 
Ruthven.  I  did  not  yield  in  any  way  to  her.  Nous  verrons!  Mr. 
Howe — whose  salary  I  raised  last  week  10s. — writes  to  say  he  expected 
more,  viz.  £1  10s.  He  was  very  civil,  but  he  overrates  himself.  Well 
called  for,  and  well  received  by  the  audience. 

November  1st. — Miss  Faucit  returned  me  her  part  in  the  new 
tragedy  with  a  note,  which  made  me  very  angry.  I  began  a  note  to 
her  under  much  irritation,  but  had  just  sense  enough  to  resolve  to 
defer  it  till  to-morrow.  Never  do  anything  in  passion.  In  nocte 
consilium. 

November  2nd. — Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre  and  attended 
the  whole  morning  to  the  rehearsal  of  the  new  opera ;  spoke  with 
Mr.  Hullah  about  his  usurpation  of  the  office  of  director ;  told  him 
that  there  was  an  express  understanding  with  Mr.  Kenney  that  the 
departments  of  the  theatre  should  not  be  interfered  with.  He  was 
very  restive,  but  I  could  not  give  up  my  point,  and  requested  him 
not  to  interfere  further  with  the  orchestra.  He  said  that  Mr.  Kenney 
had  an  understanding  with  him  that  he  was  to  preside — and  Mr.  Kenney 
stated  the  direct  contrary.  Wrote  to  Miss  Faucit,  sending  back  the 
part  of  Lady  Catherine  to  her.  Brydone  called,  and  I  signed  the 
weekly  bills.  Spent  the  evening  with  my  children.  Sat  up  until  half- 
past  one  o'clock,  cutting  and  arranging  the  tragedy  of  Ruthven. 

November  8rd. — Miss  Faucit  again  wrote  to  me,  again  returning 
the  part  in  Haynes's  tragedy.  I  sent  for  her  and  spoke  to  her  between 
the  first  and  third  acts.  She  remained  obstinate.  Acted  Prospero 
pretty  well,  was  called  for  by  the  audience  and  well  received.  Went 
into  the  box  to  see  the  new  opera ;  received  a  note  from  Miss  Faucit 
consenting  to  act  the  part.  Went  down  and  spoke  to  her.  Was  made 
very  angry  by  some  enemies  in  the  theatre  endeavouring  to  excite 
opposition  towards  the  conclusion  of  the  opera. 

November  Mh. — Read  over  and  cut  the  melodrame — lose  hope  in 
everything!  Looked  over  and  further  cut  the  tragedy,  which  will  be 
a  very  dull  affair.  Read  prayers  to  the  family.  Wrote  a  copy  of  letter 
to  return  the  letter  of  that  offensive  fool,  Mr.  Pritchard,  who  now 

474 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

tells  me  that  he  was  insulted  last  18th  of  November  by  me!  I  told 
him  then  I  wished  him  to  go,  but  he  chose  to  remain — to  take  my 
money — to  profit  by  his  engagement — to  pass  me  every  day  without 
decent  courtesy — and  now  he  lets  me  know  that  his  feelings  were 
insulted ! 

November  5th. — Looked  at  the  papers  which  (the  Chronicle,  with 
all  the  rest)  were  most  shamefully  and  profligately  abusive  of  our  opera 
of  Saturday.  I  quite  lost  my  spirits  in  considering  the  disgusting 
venality  and  shameless  betrayal  of  their  duty  on  the  part  of  the  Press 
— the  wretches ! — the  lowest  race  that  disgrace  humanity !  Acted 
Macbeth  pretty  well ;  was  called  for  and  well  received.  Looked  at 
some  of  the  scenes  of  this  play.  The  putting  of  this  tragedy  on  the 
stage  is  perfectly  beautiful,  it  is  what  every  one  should  go  to  see — 
they  will  never  see  it  again. 

November  Sth. — Forster  came  into  my  room  and  proposed  on  the 
part  of  Dickens  the  dramatization  of  Oliver  Twist,  with  Dickens's 
name.  Nothing  can  be  kinder  than  this  generous  intention  of  Dickens, 
but  I  fear  it  is  not  acceptable. 

November  9th. — I^ooked  at  the  newspapers,  and  read  over  the  part 
of  Ruthven,  which  I  fear  I  cannot  make  sufficiently  effective.  Uneasy 
about  it,  and  the  difficulty  in  which  the  want  of  strong  novelty  places 
us.  Forster  sent  me  the  volumes  of  Oliver  Twist,  which  I  looked 
carefully  through,  sending  the  first  to  Serle  with  a  note.  The  dear 
children  went  to  the  Lord  Mayor's  show.  The  skimming  over  Oliver 
Twist  occupied  me  more  than  the  whole  day. 

November  10th. — Forster  and  Dickens  called ;  and  I  told  them  of 
the  utter  impracticability  of  Oliver  Twist  for  any  dramatic  purpose. 
Had  a  long  consultation  about  the  expediency  of  choosing  Rizzio  or 
Marino  Faliero.     Could  not  decide. 

November  11th. — Forster  called,  and  presented  me  with  his  book 
of  Cromwell — Vol.  I.  From  some  questions  I  asked,  I  feel  assured 
that  he  has  divulged  everything  he  knows  about  Bulwer's  play.  He 
is  very  indiscreet.  Read  the  death  of  Rizzio  to  Catherine  and  Letty ; 
the  effect  was  heaviness  and  tediousness.  Wightwick,  Browning,  and 
G.  Bucknill  dined  with  us. 

November  12t/i. — Looked  at  the  newspaper,  and  went  to  the 
theatre,  where  the  rehearsal  of  the  Royal  Oak  was  going  on.  I  could 
not  attend  to  it,  being  occupied  with  the  discussion  and  consideration 
of  what  was  to  be  done  in  the  case  of  the  play  of  the  death  of  Rizzio. 
Serle  took  it  to  read,  and  I  wrote  to  Haynes,  appointing  him  to  call 

475 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1838 

and  talk  of  it  to-morrow.  Serle  gave  his  opinion  that  it  could  not  suc- 
ceed, and  that  the  author  ought  to  re-write  it.  Lay  down,  wearied,  and 
slept ;  could  not  think.  After,  Bulwer  called,  and  promised  to  send  his 
play  of  Richelieu  up  to  Cumberland  Terrace.  Acted  Macbeth  but 
indifferently,  not  altogether  well ;  was  called  for  by  the  audience  and 
well  received  ;  but  must  be  careful.  Found  Bulwer's  play  at  home ;  sat 
up  till  half-past  two  to  read  it. 

November  13th. — Awoke  wearied  and  brain-tired.  Wrote  a  note 
to  Bulwer.  Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre  and  superintended  the 
rehearsal  of  the  Royal  Oak.  Haynes  called.  I  gave  him  my  opinion 
and  he  assented  to  it — to  withdraw  the  play  and  re-write  it.  Jerrold  ^ 
sent  two  acts  of  his  play.  Bulwer  called  and  I  thought  seemed  dis- 
appointed that  I  did  not  show  more  enthusiasm  about  his  play. 

November  IMh. — Read  the  two  acts  of  Jerrold's  play,  with  which 
I  was  much  pleased.  Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre,  and  attended 
to  the  rehearsal  of  the  Royal  Oak;  gave  much  attention  to  it.  Spoke 
with  Serle  about  Jerrold,  and  gave  him  an  order  for  .£50  upon  his  play. 
Forster  showed  me  a  note  of  Bulwer's,  enclosing  a  letter  to  him  from 
Mr.  C.  Kean  in  a  most  sycophantic  strain,  asking  him  "  to  write  him 
a  play,  in  consequence  of  his  success  in  the  country  in  Claude  Melnotte 
after  going  twice  to  see  me  play  it!  Saw  the  Royal  Oak,  which  the 
clique,  who  attend  all  our  new  afterpieces,  hissed ;  it  is  too  bad. 

November  15th. — Read  greater  part  of  Bulwer's  play  of  Richelieu, 
which,  though  excellent  in  parts,  is  deficient  in  the  important  point 
of  continuity  of  interest.  I  should  also  say  that  the  character  is 
not  servatus  ad  imum.  At  home  read  some  scenes  in  the  latter  part 
of  Richelieu,  which  are  not  effective.  I  fear  the  play  will  not  do — 
cannot  be  made  effective. 

November  Ylth. — Looked  at  the  newspaper.  Read  a  very  strongly 
put  charge  of  gross  inhumanity  against  Sir  H.  Halford  ^  leaving  his 
friend  to  die  in  the  road  and  going  on  to  his  own  dinner!     He  is  a 

^  Douglas  William  Jerrold  (1803-1857) ;  the  well-known  wit  and  dramatist.     His  Black- 
eyed  Susan,  produced  in  1829,  at  once  made  his  reputation  as  a  playwright. 

^  Sir  Henry  Halford,  Bart.  (1766- 1844) ;  the  fashionable  physician  of  that  day,  who,  it 
was  said,  owed  more  to  his  manners  than  to  his  knowledge  of  medicine.  He  was  much  in 
the  confidence  of  George  IV,  and  numbered  among  his  many  distinguished  patients  the 
Duke  of  Wellington,  for  whom,  on  the  strength  of  his  use  of  Latin  in  prescriptions,  he  was 
invited  to  compose  the  Duke's  inaugural  speech  as  Chancellor  of  the  University  of  Oxford  ! 
So  the  Duke  informed  Thomas  Raikes  ;  presumably  at  the  time  (1834)  his  Grace  was  still  on 
bad  terms  with  his  elder  brother,  Lord  Wellesley,  who,  as  one  of  the  most  elegant  Latinists 
of  the  century,  was  his  obvious  resource  on  such  an  occasion. 
476 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

heartless  man.  At  Rugby,  on  a  visit  to  Dr.  Wooll,  he  went  to  see  a 
dying  boy  at  the  school,  and  only  took  £20  for  it ! — jam  satis  !  Called 
on  Bulwer,  and  talked  over  the  play  of  Richelieu.  He  combated  my 
objections,  and  acceded  to  them,  as  his  judgment  swayed  him ;  but 
when  I  developed  the  object  of  the  whole  plan  of  alterations  he  was 
in  ecstasies.  I  never  saw  him  so  excited,  several  times  exclaiming  he 
was  "  enchanted  "  with  the  plan,  and  observed,  in  high  spirits,  "  What 
a  fellow  you  are!  "  He  was  indeed  delightful.  I  left  him  the  play, 
and  he  promised  to  let  me  have  it  in  a  week !  He  is  a  wonderful 
man.  Left  him  to  go  to  the  theatre,  where  I  caught  the  new 
piece  ^  in  rehearsal,  which  I  did  not  much  like.  Mr.  Scharf  ^  called, 
to  whom  I  gave  the  freedom  of  the  theatre,  to  encourage  him  as  an 
artist. 

November  ISth. — Sir  E.  Bulwer  called,  and  showed  me  two  scenes, 
good  ones,  that  he  had  already  written.  Settled  the  plot  of  the 
remainder.  Forster  called.  Read  part  of  Cinq  Mars.  Considered 
William  Tell.  Read  prayers  to  the  family.  Heard  of  the  continued 
abuse  in  John  Bull;  angry  at  first,  but  soon  learned  to  disregard  it. 

November  Wth. — Read  Cinq  Mars  in  bed.  Letters  from  Mrs. 
Jameson  warmly  complimenting  me  on  my  revival  of  the  Tempest. 
Acted  Prospero  coldly ;  called  for  by  the  audience  and  well  received. 
Saw  Morton's  farce,  which  I  thought  very  poor,  and  that  it  would 
have  failed  had  it  been  produced  after  the  Tempest.  Forster  wished 
me  to  ask  Bulwer  to  dine  on  Sunday  and  read  his  play  to  him.  George 
Meredith  ^  in  his  letter  tells  me  that  I  am  considered  a  "great  man." 
If  I  am,  1  do  not  feel  the  difference ! 

November  21st. — Finished  the  novel  of  Cinq  Mars,  much  of  which 
I  thought  very  clever — very  graphic — sometimes  profound — the 
characters  well  sustained,  and  the  situations  deeply  interesting — some- 
times overstrained,  and  persons  like  Milton,  Corneille,  etc.,  uselessly 
paraded  before  us.  Sent  back  Cinq  Mars,  with  a  note  of  invitation  to 
Bulwer.  Read  a  short  account  of  Richelieu  in  Disraeli.  Bulwer 
called,  bringing  with  him  the  completed  Richelieu.  Seemed  glad  to 
come  here  on  Sunday.     Arrived  at  home,  read  through  Bulwer's  play 

»   A  farce,  called  CAaos  is  Come  Again,  or  the  Race  Ball  {note  by  Sir  F.  Pollock). 

*  Mr.  George  Scharf,  whose  early  production,  under  the  modest  title  of  Recollectiom  of 
the  Scenic  Effects  of  Ccrvent  Garden  Theatre  during  the  season  1838-9,  gives  an  admirable 
notion  of  the  scenery  and  stage  grouping  of  the  plays  produced  under  Macready's  manage- 
ment at  Covent  Garden  theatre  {note  by  Sir  F.  Pollock). 

^  Not  the  author  of  that  name. 

477 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1838 

of  Richelieu.  I  begin  to  be  deadened  to  the  interest  of  its  story ; 
it  seems  to  be  occasionally  lengthy.  I  fear  it  has  not  the  clinging 
interest  of  his  present  successful  play,  but  hope  and  trust  are  good 
supporters. 

November  9i2nd. — Thought  over  Richelieu — do  not  yet  see  my  way 
into  it.  Marked  the  first  act  for  cutting,  snatched  a  hasty  dinner, 
and  went  to  the  theatre.  Saw  Serle  on  his  business  of  William  Tell; 
sent  a  note  to  Mrs.  Talfourd,  with  a  private  box  for  Friday  night. 
Rooke  called  with  the  libretto  of  his  opera.  Robertson  read  and 
marked  the  second  act  of  Richelieu.  Very  much  fatigued.  Note  of 
thanks  from  Chantrey.  Brydone  on  business.  Slept  for  about  a 
quarter  of  an  hour.  Acted  Prospero  feebly.  Called  for  and  well 
received  by  the  audience. 

November  22rd. — Thought  over  Richelieu  before  I  rose.  Read 
and  marked  the  third  act.  Went  to  theatre,  reading  Richelieu  by  the 
way.  Received  notes  from  Dr.  Elliotson  inviting  me  to  an  exhibition 
of  phenomena  in  animal  magnetism  on  Sunday  next ;  he  is  infatuated 
on  this  subject.  Answered  Bulwer's  note.  Read  the  remainder  of  the 
libretto  of  Mr.  Haynes  for  Rooke's  opera,  which  I  think  the  greatest 
mass  of  unintelligible  trash  that  ever  perplexed  a  moderate  intellect — 
perfectly  detestable. 

November  S,5th. — Began  the  reading  and  punctuating  and  cutting 
of  the  play  of  Richelieu,  which  lasted  through  the  whole  day  until 
dinner-time.  Was  obliged  to  write  a  note  to  Dr.  Elliotson — excusing 
myself  from  attending  the  exhibition  of  mesmerism.  Sir  Edward 
Bulwer  and  Forster  came  to  dinner ;  after  which  I  read  the  play  of 
Richelieu  to  them  and  Catherine  and  Letitia ;  its  effect  was  not  what 
I  had  hoped,  and  in  the  fifth  act  Forster  was  asleep.  This  evidently 
hurt  Bulwer,  and  we  talked  long  after  it.  Forster,  when  Bulwer  had 
gone,  sat  long  talking  over  it,  and  admitted  (what  he  never  would  have 
done  but  for  this  accident)  that  the  interest  of  the  play  was  not 
sufficient.  I  deeply  feel  the  disappointment  on  Bulwer's  account,  to 
whom  I  am  so  much  indebted. 

November  ^6th. — Forster  came  into  my  room,  and  went  to  our 
box,  where  Catherine  gave  me  a  letter  from  Bulwer ;  chagrined,  and 
evidently  angry  with  Forster.  It  gave  me  great  pain.  Forster  was 
importunate  on  its  purport,  which  I  was  obliged  to  tell  him  I  could 
not  (according  to  Bulwer's  expressed  wish)  communicate.  He  has 
warmth  of  feeling  (Forster),  but  not  much  judgment,  and  wants  the 
fine  tact  of  good  breeding.  I  went  home  very  ill,  and  hastened  to  bed. 
478 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Liston  had  called  on  me  in  the  morning — old  and  rickety — to  ask  for 
a  "  friend's  "  name  to  be  added  to  his  wife's  on  the  free  list. 

November  Zlth. — Wrote  to  Bulwer  in  answer  to  his  note,  express- 
ing to  him  how  foremost  in  my  consideration  was  his  reputation ;  that 
his  play  would  have  been  valuable  from  any  other  person,  but  that  it 
would  not  serve  his  interest,  whether  in  reference  to  his  literary  fame, 
his  station,  or  his  political  position.  Acted  Prospero  rather  better 
than  I  have  lately  done,  but  was  not  called  on.  Bulwer  came 
into  my  room,  and  in  a  very  warm  manner  expressed  himself  most 
gratified  with  my  note,  and  much  obliged.  He  sat  and  talked  about 
RichelieUf  and  left  me  the  note  (a  very  valuable  one)  that  he  had 
written  to  me. 

November  2Sth. — Went  to  theatre,  where  I  was  informed  that 
Messrs.  Warde  and  Waldron  had  refused  their  parts  in  William  Tell. 
Took  summary  proceedings  with  Mr.  Waldron,  and  sent  for  Mr. 
Warde,  who  would  not  be  found.  Rehearsal  of  William  Tell;  spoke 
to  Read  about  dresses,  to  Young  about  the  pantomime,  several  scenes 
of  which  I  read,  disapproving  of  some  reflecting  on  the  Queen's 
partiahty  to  foreigners  and  Lord  Melbourne's  stay  at  Windsor. 

November  29t/i. — Forster  called,  and  showed  me  a  very  kind  letter 
from  Bulwer  to  him ;  asked  my  advice  as  to  his  proper  course  of  con- 
duct with  Thackeray,  who  he  said  had  disclaimed  acts  of  treachery, 
of  which  he,  Forster,  was  well  assured  (on  confidential  statements)  he 
had  been  guilty.  I  told  him  his  only  course  was  to  be  passive.  He 
then  talked  about  "the  world's  opinion,"  and  I  observed  to  him  that 
there  was  no  such  thing  as  "the  world."  "The  world,"  of  which  we 
all  talked,  consisted  of  the  two  or  three  friends  or  listeners  who  would 
in  the  course  of  conversation  entertain  our  story ;  and  it  was  by  this 
foolish  word,  "the  world,"  that  we  constantly  argued  ourselves  into 
fooUsh  actions.  He  took  my  advice.  Spoke  to  Mr.  Warde  about  his 
refusal  to  act  Gessler ;  explained  to  him  his  own  value  and  my  estima- 
tion of  him ;  he  consented  to  do  it.  Acted  Prospero  tolerably  well ; 
was  called  for  and  well  received. 

November  SOth. — Acted  Werner,  not  by  any  means  to  my  own 
satisfaction.  The  incessant  occupation  of  my  mind  in  the  management 
does  not  allow  me  to  do  justice  to  my  acting.  I  was  extremely  dis- 
pleased with  myself,  although  the  general  opinion  would  have  induced 
me  to  think  differently;  but  I  know  when  I  act  with  truth,  energy  and 
finish.     Was  called  for,  and  very  warmly  received. 

December  1st. — Looked  at  my  letters  after  dining,  and  then  began 

479 


THE   DIARIES   OF  MACREADY  [1838 

to  read,  for  a  few  minutes  only,  an  opera  which  Fonblanque,  who  had 
called  in  the  course  of  the  morning,  and  whom  I  was  delighted  to  see, 
had  left  with  me.  Acted  Prospero  very  fairly,  was  called  for  and 
warmly  received. 

December  2nd. — Finished  reading  the  ppera,  begun  in  bed  last 
night,  which  Fonblanque  left  with  me ;  it  is  the  best  libretto  in  point 
of  plot  and  words  of  the  songs  that  I  have  yet  received.  Bulwer  called 
and  discussed  at  great  length  the  plot  of  Richelieu  and  also  read  me 
the  plot  of  a  new  comedy. 

December  3rd. — Went  to  the  theatre ;  looking  at  the  play  as  I 
drove  along.  Gave  the  whole  day  to  the  rehearsal  of  William  Telly 
which  cost  me  much  time  and  toil.  There  is  no  one  that  I  can  trust 
— no  one  to  whom  I  can  devolve  the  care  of  a  scene.  I  am  alone,  and 
cannot  bear  up  against  the  pressure.  Nothing  but  the  conviction  of 
it  being  my  last  season  could  sustain  me  in  it.  Lay  down  a  little  before 
five  o'clock.  Acted  William  Tell  indifferently — not  by  any  means  so 
well  as  I  rehearsed  it ;  I  was  very  nervous  and  dispossessed.  Was 
called  for  by  the  audience,  and  very  enthusiastically  received. 

December  5th. — Dickens  brought  me  his  farce,  which  he  read  to 
me.  The  dialogue  is  very  good,  full  of  point,  but  I  am  not  sure  about 
the  meagreness  of  the  plot.  He  reads  as  well  as  an  experienced  actor 
would — he  is  a  surprising  man. 

December  6th. — Gave  the  whole  morning  to  compressing  and 
correcting  the  pantomime.  Wrote  to  the  editor  of  the  Weekly  Dis- 
patch, striking  that  paper  off  the  free  list.  Letter  from  Hon.  R. 
Grimston  ^  about  a  reading  in  Shakspeare. 

December  1th. — Read  the  paper.  Knowles  called,  ostensibly  to 
ask  for  two  private  boxes,  but,  as  I  think,  to  ascertain  what  money  was 
likely  to  come.  He  said  he  would  make  no  charge,  but  as  the  play  of 
William  Tell  did  not  belong  to  Covent  Garden  I  might  pay  him  for  it 
by  the  night.  N.B. — He  had  given  me  a  promise  several  years  ago 
to  give  me  the  gratuitous  right  of  performing  this  play !  ! !  I  would 
not  take  it  on  this  footing,  but  gave  him  £20  for  the  work  he  had 
done — which  was  very  little!     A  very  grossly  insulting  letter  from  the 

^  The  Hon.  Robert  Grimston  (1816-1894)  :  the  well-known  sportsman.  He  and  the 
Hon.  Frederick  Ponsonby  (afterwards  sixth  Earl  of  Bessborough)  were  for  many  years 
familiar  figures  in  the  Harrow  cricket-field,  where  they  coached  successive  "elevens"  of 
their  old  school  with  a  thoroughness  rivalling  that  of  the  best  professional.  "Bob" 
Grimston  was  as  much  at  home  across  country  as  he  was  on  the  cricket-ground,  while  as  the 
able  chairman  of  more  than  one  important  telegraph  company,  he  acquired  a  high  reputation 
in  the  business  world. 
480 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

editor  of  the  Weekly  Dispatch — which,  in  my  first  impulse,  I  re-enclosed 
in  its  own  turned  over;  but  hesitated,  under  the  supposition  that  it 
might  seem  too  haughty,  and  wrote  a  gentlemanly  letter  of  retort, 
quietly  repeating  that  falsehood  had  been  my  provocation  and  that  the 
subsequent  reply  to  me  was  impertinent.  Brydone  suggested  the 
return  of  the  letter,  as  I  had  at  first  intended,  and  I,  concurring  with 
him,  re-enclosed  it  in  its  own  cover,  and  sent  it  back  to  the  editor. 

December  Sth. — Looked  at  the  paper,  and  read  a  very  pretty 
sonnet  on  the  Tempest  and  its  revival  in  the  Literary  Gazette.  Mr. 
Willmott  told  me  that  Mr.  Williams,  the  editor  of  the  Dispatch ,  had 
published  my  letter  and  the  one  he  sent  me  (which  I  returned  to  him) 
in  the  paper — the  wretched  blackguard  1  He  had  not  said  that  I  had 
returned  it !  Miss  Faucit  asked  me  to  write  my  name  on  a  print 
of  Virginius,  which  I  did.  Note  from  Bulwer  with  his  play,  which 
I  read ;  it  is  greatly  improved,  but  still  not  quite  to  the  point  of 
success. 

December  dth, — Rose  very  late  after  reading  the  newspaper,  in 
which  Forster  had  written  tio  notice  of  William  Tell — an  omission 
which  I  felt  as  a  disservice.  He  told  me  of  an  insidious  article  in 
John  Bull.  Bulwer  called  and  I  agreed  to  ask  some  person  to  hear 
the  play  read  on  Sunday  next. 

December  10th. — Wrote  notes  of  invitation  to  Browning,  Fox, 
Rintoul,  Wallace,  H.  Smith,  Blanchard,  asking  them  to  dine  and  hear 
Bulwer's  play  on  Sunday.  Dickens,  Forster,  Serle,  Willmott,  etc., 
came  into  my  room.     Dickens  agreed  to  read  his  farce  to-morrow. 

December  11th. — Dickens  came  with  Forster  and  read  his  fare*. 
There  was  manifest  disappointment ;  it  went  flatly,  a  few  ready  laughs, 
but  generally  an  even  smile,  broken  in  upon  by  the  horse-laugh  of 
Forster,  the  most  indiscreet  friend  that  ever  allied  himself  to  any 
person.  He  has  goaded  Dickens  to  write  this  farce,  and  now  (without 
testing  its  chances  of  success)  would  drive  it  upon  the  stage.  Defend 
me  from  my  friends  1  It  was  agreed  that  it  should  be  put  into 
rehearsal,  and,  when  nearly  ready,  should  be  seen  and  judged  of  by 
Dickens!  I  cannot  sufficiently  condemn  the  officious  folly  of  this 
marplot,  Forster,  who  embroils  his  friends  in  difficulties  and  distress 
in  this  most  determined  manner.     It  is  quite  too  bad. 

December  12th. — A  long  discussion  on  Dickens's  farce;  called  in 
for  their  opinion  Messrs.  Bartley  and  Harley.  The  result  was  that 
Forster  decided  on  withdrawing  the  farce. 

December   IQth. — Wrote   to   Bulwer,    and    to  Dickens,   about   his 

VOL.  I.  II  481 


THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1888 

farce,  explaining  to  him  my  motives  for  wishing  to  withdraw  it,  and 
my  great  obhgation  to  him.  He  returned  me  an  answer  which  is  an 
honour  to  him.  How  truly  delightful  it  is  to  meet  with  high-minded 
and  warm-hearted  men.  Dickens  and  Bulwer  have  been  certainly  to 
me  noble  specimens  of  human  nature,  and  show  out  strongly  the 
pitiful  contrast  that  a  man  like  Talfourd  offers.  Answered  Mr. 
Warren,  sending  him  the  freedom  of  the  theatre.  Wrote  to  Mrs. 
Buller  about  her  piece ;  to  Hayward  about  his  note,  sending  him  the 
freedom. 

December  16th. — Attended  to  my  accounts,  and  then  gave  the 
whole  morning  to  the  conclusion  of  the  marking  of  Richelieu.  Henry 
Smith  and  Serle  called  first,  then  Browning,  Fox,  Blanchard,  and 
Lane  to  hear  the  reading  of  the  play.  I  told  them  that  no  one  must 
speak  during  the  process,  gave  pencils  and  paper  to  each,  with  which 
they  were  severally  to  write  down  their  opinions.  The  play  was 
listened  to  with  the  deepest  interest,  and  the  opinions,  all  of  which 
were  favourable,  were  given  in.  I  then  spoke  to  them  individually 
and  endeavoured  to  gain  their  precise  opinions  more  in  detail.  Mrs. 
Serle,  Miss  P.  Horton,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  P.  Cooke,  Mr.  Vining,  and 
Mr.  Sloman  came  afterwards  to  dinner ;  spent  a  cheerful  evening ; 
music  afterwards.     Wrote  an  account  of  the  result  to  Bulwer. 

December  19th. — Received  a  letter  and  MS.  of  a  play  from  Mrs. 
Butler,^  of  Philadelphia,  brought  by  Mr.  Power. 

December  20th. — Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre;  on  my  way 
continued  the  perusal  of  Mrs.  Butler's  play,  which  is  a  work  of 
uncommon  power.  At  the  theatre  gave  my  attention  to  the  rehearsal 
of  the  pantomime.  Business  with  Serle,  Willmott,  etc.  Read  the 
newspapers.  Saw  that  the  printer  of  the  Times  was  found  guilty  of 
libel  on  Sir  J.  Conroy ;  ^  will  be  imprisoned  for  the  villainy  of  some 
wretched  coward  who  skulks  behind  his  incognito.  Finished  the  read- 
ing of  Mrs.  Butler's  play,  which  is  one  of  the  most  powerful  of  the 
modern  plays  I  have  seen — most  painful,  almost  shocking,  but  full  of 
power,  poetry,  and  pathos.  She  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  women 
of  the  present  day. 

December  21st. — A  son  born.^     A  note  from  Jerdan  asking  me 

^  Fanny  Kemble. 

*  Sir  John  Conroy  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Duchess  o.  Kent's  household,  and  an 
article  in  the  Times  had  imputed  to  him  not  only  mismanagement  of  her  affairs,  but  the 
application  of  her  moneys  for  his  own  purposes.  Conroy  in  consequence  took  proceedings 
against  the  printer  of  the  Times  for  libel,  which  resulted  in  a  verdict  of  guilty,  and  a  sentence 
of  one  month's  imprisonment  together  with  a  fine  of  £200. 

*  Henry  Frederick  Bulwer,  died  August  12,  1857. 

482 


1838]  THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

to  withhold  the  cheque  for  .£70,  upon  the  faith  of  which  he  had 
borrowed  that  sum  from  me.  The  fact  cannot  be  disguised ;  he  is  a 
man  who  has  no  conscience  in  obtaining  the  means  of  other  men.  The 
money  is  gone!  Wrote  notes  to  Ransom's,  to  withhold  Jerdan's 
cheque.  It  is  useless  to  make  strife  with  a  man  who  has  it  in  his  power 
to  cheat  you,  and  is  determined  to  do  so.  One's  mind  must  be  made 
up.  He  has  sold  me,  as  others  have  done !  Wrote  to  a  person  of  the 
name  of  Rahles,  who  very  kindly  sent  me  a  rich  velvet  cap  in  testimony 
of  the  pleasure  he  had  received  from  my  performances. 

December  29,nd. — Letter  from  Jerdan.  More  frivolous  excuses. 
He  has  robbed  me,  and  there  is  an  end. 

December  9,41th. — Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre,  where  I  found 
Forster,  Dickens,  and  Browning,  who,  with  Fonblanque,  came  to  see 
what  I  would  gladly  have  been  excused  from,  the  rehearsal  of  the 
pantomime.  I  remained  attending  to  it  from  eleven  o'clock,  the  hour 
of  my  arrival,  to  twenty  minutes  past  eight.  Towards  the  close  it 
appeared  in  a  state  so  utterly  desperate,  that  I  had  the  carpenters, 
etc.,  into  my  room  to  give  me  information  respecting  my  con- 
templated alteration  of  the  playbill.  I  found  that  much  of  the  con- 
fusion arose  from  the  stupidity  of  the  men — always  excepting  Marshall's 
shameful  ineflBciency  and  still  more  shameful  vanity  and  presumption  in 
undertaking  what  he  could  not  hope  to  effect.  Discovering  the  cause 
of  their  difficulty,  I  made  arrangements  for  easing  them,  and  so  far 
relieved  the  pantomime  from  so  much  cause  of  fear ;  but  there  is  not 
in  its  execution,  whatever  may  be  its  fortune,  justice  done  to  the 
lavish  expenditure  which  has  been  made  for  it.  If  successful,  I  shall 
owe  most  to  the  exertions  of  Bradwell ;  if  unfortunate,  its  ruin  rests 
with  Mr.  Marshall.  I  have  very,  very  little  hope  and  great  fear; 
indeed,  I  am  bracing  my  mind  up  to  the  event.  God  befriend  me  in 
all  my  doings!  Amen!  A  letter  from  Bulwer — the  noble-hearted 
fellow! — wishing  to  try  the  play  before  tlie  green-room.  I  wrote 
assenting. 

December  95th. — My  dear  children's  voices  greeted  me  witli  the 
wish  of  a  merry  Christmas  and  a  happy  New  Year.  Mr.  Pope  called 
whilst  I  was  in  dear  Catherine's  room,  who  with  her  blesse<l  babe  is, 
thank  God,  going  on  extremely  well.  Was  reluctant  to  go  out,  but 
thought  it  my  business  to  be  seen  by  the  workmen  in  the  theatre,  and 
therefore  went  there,  taking  dearest  Willie  with  me,  and  leaving  him 
in  the  coach  outside  at  the  box-office,  whilst  I  went  into  the  theatre 
to  observe  the  progress  the  men  had  made.  Was  much  cheered  by 
the  tone  of  all,  and  the  appearance  of  diligence  among  them. 

112  483 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1838 

December  26th. — Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre,  and  rehearsed 
Hastings;  then  giving  my  attention  to  the  pantomime  until  twenty 
minutes  past  five  o'clock.  Acted  Lord  Hastings  indifferently — my 
mind  was  on  the  pantomime/  From  the  utter  absence  of  arrangement 
on  the  part  of  Mr.  Marshall,  his  clumsy  attempt  at  contrivance,  and 
the  deficiency  of  his  work,  the  pantomime  completely  failed.  What 
will  be  the  result  I  cannot  guess — it  will  go  near  to  ruin  me.  It  is  a 
terrible  blow. 

December  211th, — After  a  bad  night  I  awoke  to  think  of  the  desper- 
ate state  of  our  affairs,  and  looked  with  a  very  complacent  face  upon 
the  gloomy  prospect  before  me.  Poor  Letitia  was  sadly  broken  down 
by  it.  Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre ;  on  my  way  looked  through 
the  often-searched  Shakspeare  for  some  play.  Thought  of  King 
Henry  F,  with  the  choruses  to  be  spoken  by  Vandenhoff.  Attended 
to  the  pantomime,  which  I  cut,  and  set  the  performers  and  the 
carpenters  about.  Serle,  when  I  suggested  Henry ^  observed  that  the 
choruses  would  admit  of  illustration,  a  hint  which  I  instantly  caught 
at,  and  determined  upon  doing  it.  Attended  to  the  performance  of 
the  pantomime,  which  went  off  very  smoothly.  Afterwards  arranged 
business  for  rehearsing  it.  Received  notes  from  H.  Smith  and  Win- 
ston, wishing  me  to  withdraw  my  resignation  at  the  Garrick  Club. 
Attended  to  the  performance  of  the  pantomime,  which,  thank  God, 
went  off  very  smoothly.  Afterwards  arranged  business  for  rehearsing 
it.     Wrote  notes  to  Serle  and  Winston,  persisting  in  my  withdrawal. 

December  29th. — Miss  H.  Faucit  came  into  my  room,  during  the 
play,  to  ask  for  a  box  for  Monday.  I  spoke  to  Miss  P.  Horton  about 
her  insubordinate  language.     She  was  much  distressed  about  it. 

December  SOth. — Forster  sent  the  papers  to  Letitia,  by  which  it 
seems  our  pantomime  stands  fair  for  attraction.  L.D.  Forster  and 
Talfourd  called.  Spoke  about  Mrs.  Butler's  play,  which  Forster 
thought  I  was  called  upon  to  act.  After  dinner  continued  the 
attentive  perusal  of  King  Henry  V.  Talked  with  Letitia  over  King 
Henry,  explaining  to  her  how  I  would  produce  it.  Resolved  to  defer 
it  to  Easter,  and  make  it  the  last  Shakspearian  revival  of  my  manage- 
ment. Wrote  to  Mr.  Powell,  thanking  him  for  his  dedication  of  an 
edition  of  Shakspeare's  plays  to  me. 

December  Slst. — Forster  called  to  ask  me  for  private  boxes ;  told 
me  he  believed  that  he  should  continue  in  the  Garrick  Club  I     Now  he 

^  The  title  was  Harlequin  and  Fair  Rosamond ;  or,  Old  Dame  Nature  and  the  Fairy  Art 
{note  by  Sir  F.  Pollock). 
484 


1838]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

has  laboured  to  induce  me  to  retire  from  it,  and  I  have  no  doubt  has 
instigated  Dickens  to  leave  it ;  his  words  had  no  weight  with  me,  but 
he  gives  me  a  very  low  opinion  of  his  "  gentlemanly  "  feelings  to 
endeavour  thus  to  make  cat's  paws  of  his  friends  to  satisfy  his  own 
vindictive  feelings.  Cut  the  first  act  of  the  new  drama.  Looked 
at  newspapers.  Mrs.  Warner  rode  rather  restive  about  the  part  of 
Mrs.  Placid.  I  was  not  altogether  pleased  with  her.  Bulwer  called 
and  talked  long  about  Richelieu^  which  he  is  to  send  me  to-morrow 
night.  Cast  up  my  accounts  for  the  year — at  the  end  of  which  I 
prostrate  my  heart  in  humble  gratitude  before  the  throne  of  mercy, 
the  seat  of  His  Divine  Power,  to  whom  I  owe  all  the  blessings  I  enjoy, 
and  from  whom  alone  is  happiness  and  peace.     Blessed  be  His  Name ! 


485 


1839 

London,  January  1st, — Knowles  came  in,  and  wished  to  hack  out 
from  the  undertaking  he  gave  me  the  other  day ;  he  is  a  b — g — d  in 
heart — a  mean,  blood-sucking,  loud-tongued,  vulgar-minded  man ;  an 
unjust  man.  Read  the  papers.  Reduced  the  drama  of  Siege  of 
Alengon  to  two  acts.  Wrote  notes  to  Cattermole,  Harness,  Warde. 
Read  part  of  Mrs.  Butler's  play.  Acted  Prospero  tolerably.  Called 
for  by  the  audience  and  well  received.  Miss  H.  Faucit  came  into  my 
room  about  her  dress.  Mr.  Duncan,  Warde's  friend,  called  and  talked 
over  his  affairs.  I  recommended,  as  his  only  chance,  the  Insolvent  Act. 
Sent  him  £5,  as  Mr.  Duncan  said  he  was  starving.  Received  a  letter 
and  the  MS.  of  Richelieu  from  Bulwer. 

January  2nd. — Wrote  a  note  to  Bulwer,  sending  him  Mrs.  Butler's 
MS.  Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre,  where  I  found  notes  from  Mr. 
Warde,  thanking  me  for  my  kindness,  and  stating  his  intention  of 
taking  again  the  benefit  of  the  Insolvent  Act !  We  were  young  men 
together  at  the  head  of  the  theatre  in  Bath !  Forster  and  Dr.  Quin 
came  into  my  room ;  afterwards  poor  Blanchard,  in  dreadfully  low 
spirits;  it  now  appears  that  poor  L.  E.  L.,  the  gifted  creature, 
perished  by  her  own  hand  !  ^  What  is  genius  ?  Cattermole  came  and 
sat  some  time  with  me.  Appointed  an  amanuensis  to  come  and  copy 
Bulwer's  play  to-morrow. 

January  3rd. — The  copyist,  whom  I  had  appointed,  was  disposed 
in  the  drawing-room,  where  I  saw  him,  and  found  that  in  two  hours 
he  had  not  written  twenty  lines.  Talfourd  came  in,  and  gave  me 
another  copy  of  Ion  and  Athenian  Captive,  with  the  sonnet  on  Nina's 
birth  altered,  and  one  to  Dickens  on  Oliver  Twist.  Spoke  again  to 
Robertson  about  the  Gloucester  box,  which  the  proprietors  hold  from 
me,  and  nightly  use.     Last  night,  in  addition  to  this.  Captain  Forbes 

*  She  had  married  George  Maclean,  Governor  of  Cape  Coast  Castle,  and  accompanied 
him  to  the  colony,  where  her  death  took  place  in  October  of  the  previous  year,  only  a  few 
months  after  her  marriage.  Macready  suggests  that  she  committed  suicide,  but  the  circum- 
stances, when  fully  known,  seemed  rather  to  indicate  that  she  died  from  an  accidental 
overdose  of  prussic  acid,  taken  medicinally. 
486 


1839]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

took  one  of  the  letter  boxes,  one  of  the  best  in  the  theatre.     I  told 
him  that  I  was  annoyed  and  hurt  by  their  conduct.     Mr.  Harness  was 
announced,  and  they  left  the  room.     I  explained  to  him  (Mr.  Harness) 
the  difficulty  in  which  I  found  myself  with  regard  to  Mrs.  Butler's 
play ;  that  its  extraordinary  talent  challenged  representation,  but  that 
the  grossness  of  the  subject  made  it  questionable  how  far  the  result  of 
its  performance  might  be  gratifying  to  her  and  her  friends.     He  seemed 
to  think  that  there  was  hazard  in  it  from  the  three  acts  he  had  read, 
and  proposed  to  submit  it  to  Mr.  Milman  and  Miss  Martineau,  and  to 
endeavour  to  arrive  at  a  proper  judgment  from  their  joint  opinions ; 
at  the  same  time  he  would  write  to  Mrs.  Butler  on  the  subject.     This 
conversation  lasted  long ;  he  was  going  away,  when  I  told  him  there 
was  another  business  on  which  I  wished  to  speak  with  him.     I  observed 
to  him  that  whatever  faults  of  character  might  be  ascribed  to  me,  I 
was  incapable  of  doing  any  one  an  injury  wittingly ;  that  my  notions 
of  honour  and  virtue,  such  as  they  were,  were  strictly  revered  by  me, 
and  if  I  had  done  him  a  wrong,  I  held  myself  bound  to  expiate  it  in 
every  possible  way.     I  then  mentioned  to  him  the  libellous  article  which 
in  June,  1825,  had  been  written  against  me  in  Blackwood\s  Magazine ; 
the  effect  it  had  had  in  raising  the  Press  against  me ;  the  partial  con- 
tradiction that  Miss  Mitford  had  given  it ;  the  strong  and  loud  lie  that 
Procter  gave  to  it ;  the  injury  it  had  done  me,  in  reducing  my  income 
at  least  one  half;  that  it  had  driven  me  to  leave  the  stage,  on  which 
resolution  I  was  only  deterred  from  acting  by  the  birth  of  my  children ; 
that  I  had  suspected  him  of  being  the  author,  and  had  mentioned  my 
suspicions ;  that  it  had   nearly  driven   me  to  extremities  which   it  is 
dreadful  to  think  of.     He  was  evidently  much  embarrassed  and  seemed 
to   suffer   much ;   his   mode   of  expressing   himself   was   confused   and 
rambling;  he  said  that  he  must  acknowledge  he  was  inculpated  so  far 
as  that  he  had  heard  the  story  told  by  Miss  Mitford,  and  had  com- 
municated it  to  the  writer  of  the  article,  but  that  he  had  not  written 
it,  nor  anything  in  periodical  literature  of  a  critical  kind  except,  etc.     I 
told  him  that  I  was  very  glad  to  hear  that  he  was  not  the  author,  as 
I  was  happy  to  think  well  of  all  men,  and  was  very  sorry  that  I  had 
suspected  him  of  the  fact.     He  was  going  away,  when  he  turned  back, 
having  passed  the  door,  and  said  :  "'  I  think  we  ought  to  shake  hands." 
I  gave  him  my  hand,  saying,  '  I  was  very  happy  to  do  so,'  and  we 
parted.     My  heart  was  much  lighter,  and  I  fear  his  was  nnich,  very 
much  heavier,  as  it  is  evident,  though  not  the  author,  that  he  was  deeply 
implicated  in  that  shocking  transaction — that  assassination  of  my  char- 

487 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1839 

acter.  I  think  of  him  with  perfect  charity,  and  with  the  most  entire 
and  cheerful  forgiveness.  Looked  over  part  of  the  MS.  of  Richelieu, 
marking  it.  Sent  a  note  to  dear  Letitia,  desiring  her  to  dismiss  the 
copyist,  who,  she  wrote  me  word,  was  doing  scarcely  anything.  A 
note  from  Bulwer  on  Mrs.  Butler's  play — expressed  his  apprehensions 
of  its  success,  in  reference  to  its  grossness,  and  of  its  effect  on  the 
character  of  the  theatre.     Acted  Prospero  indifferently. 

January  Mh. — Miss  Holder,  a  girl  of  seventeen,  who  had  been  a 
year  in  writing  a  quire-full  of  nonsense,  called  about  her  play — a  pretty 
girl.  Note  from  Mr.  Harness,  with  his  play  of  Welcome  and  Farewell, 
telling  me  that  his  sister  would  not  let  him  continue  Mrs.  Butler's  play, 
and  being  perplexed  with  his  charge.     I  answered  him. 

January  5th. — Read  Bulwer's  play  of  Richelieu  to  the  actors,  and 
was  most  agreeably  surprised  to  find  it  excite  them  in  a  very  extra- 
ordinary manner.  Besides  our  company,  Brydone,  Marshall,  and  a 
Mr.  Clarke,  Serle's  brother-in-law,  were  present.  The  expression  of 
delight  was  universal  and  enthusiastic.  When  all  were  gone,  I  wrote 
a  note  to  Bulwer,  informing  him  of  the  play's  reception.  Answered 
Mrs.  Butler's  letter,  speaking  in  the  highest  terms  of  her  play.  Looked 
at  papers.  Read  a  very  strange  note  from  some  woman,  threatening 
to  destroy  herself  for  love  of  me !  The  ugly  never  need  despair  after 
this.  Answered  it  shortly.  Acted  Prospero  indifferently.  Stayed  to 
see  the  pantomime  with  Letitia — much  dissatisfied  with  it.  Bulwer 
came  into  our  box,  and  seemed  much  delighted  with  the  news  of  his 
play's  reception. 

January  'Ith. — Went  to  supper  at  Dickens's,  where  was  a  large  party 
for  the  christening  of  his  youngest  and  the  birthday  of  his  eldest.  At 
the  supper  there  were  speeches,  which  much  annoyed  me. 

January  Sth. — A  note  from  the  woman  who  had  written  to  me  on 
Saturday  with  so  much  abandon,  enclosing  her  address,  and  begging 
for  an  answer.  Answered  the  note  I  had  received,  saying  that  I  would 
see  the  writer  in  Newman  Street  this  evening,  and  hear  what  she  had 
to  say.  Wrote  a  note  enclosing  pit  tickets  to  Bulwer,  and  another 
to  Robertson,  officially  resigning  the  theatre  after  this  season.  Miss 
H.  Faucit  came  to  my  room  to  ask  for  a  private  box.  She  is  liberal 
in  her  requisitions.  Miss  P.  Horton  asked  leave  to  accept  an  engage- 
ment at  the  Surrey  theatre,  which  I,  with  great  kindness,  refused. 
Was  called  for,  and  well  received  by  the  audience.  Talfourd  and 
Dickens  came  into  my  room.  Dickens  wanted  a  private  box.  Tal- 
fourd brought  me  a  message  from  the  Garrick  Club  Committee,  wishing 
488 


1839]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

me  to  remain.  Declined.  Left  my  coach  at  Newman  Street,  and  met 
there  the  writer  of  the  letters — a  fine-looking  young  woman,  of  modest 
deportment.  I  inquired  of  her,  as  we  walked,  her  object  in  writing 
to  me,  and  wishing  to  see  me.     She  begged  my  pardon,  and  I  learned 

that  she  had  been  living  at  Sir 's.     She  asked  if  I  was  married. 

I  told  her  I  was,  which  seemed  a  bitter  shock  to  her.  I  told  her  I  was 
many  years  older  than  herself,  and  spoke  to  her  with  kindness.  She 
made  me  uneasy  from  the  deep  and — as  it  seemed  to  me — desperate 
melancholy  of  her  expression.  I  told  her  to  let  me  know  if  I  could 
do  anything  to  serve  her,  and  I  would  do  it.  I  parted  from  her  by 
Westminster  Hall.  I  felt  quite  uneasy  and  dejected  at  what  seemed 
to  me  her  unhappiness.  She  had  evidently  encouraged  the  hope  of 
marrying  the  ideal  that  had  filled  her  mind  from  the  representation  of 
Claude  Melnotte.  Poor  girl !  I  was  quite  depressed.  How  much  are 
we  the  victims  of  an  inevitable  destiny  I  Read  two  acts  of  Jerrold's 
play,  which  is  too  didactic. 

January  Oth. — Read  the  remaining  three  acts  of  Jerrold's  play, 
which  I  was  concerned  to  find  a  very  heavy  and,  in  my  opinion,  a  hope- 
less affair ;  but  alterations  may  give  it  a  better  chance.  I  was  in  very 
low  spirits,  and  could  not  disguise  the  dejection  into  which  the  thought 
of  that  poor  girl  Avhom  I  saw  last  night  sunk  me.  How  hard  seems  to 
nie  the  lot  of  the  uneducated,  with  all  the  passions  and  feelings  of  those 
who  are  instructed  to  control  and  subdue  them,  yet  subject  to  merely 
equal,  or  perhaps  not  so  severe,  penalties  for  indulging  them  !  A 
strange  world !  Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre,  where  I  attended 
to  business.  Mr.  Jerrold  called,  and  in  the  presence  of  Serle  I  gave 
him  my  opinion  on  his  play,  of  its  want  of  action  and  purpose.  He 
assented  to  much  that  I  urged,  and  Serle  agreed  to  read  the  play  and 
give  his  digested  opinion.  Brydone  afterwards  came  and  showed  me 
the  account.  The  pantomime  has  cost  X1500  I  !  ! — just  £1000  more 
than  it  should  have  cost,  and  more  than  it  appears  to  have  cost.  Began 
to  punctuate  Richelieu,  which  we  had  decided  to  produce  without 
further  delay.  Acted  Claude  Melnotte  pretty  well ;  was  called  for  and 
well  received.     Note  from  Harness,  about  Mrs.  Butler's  play. 

January  10th. — Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre,  where  I  found 
several  letters,  one  from  a  Mr.  Winfield,  in  great  anger  about  not 
having  his  money  returned  last  night.  How  very  foolish  does  passion 
make  men  look  ! — the  folly  of  our  lives  is  for  the  most  part  passion. 
An  angry  man  is  almost  sure  to  expose  himself.  Answered  very  civilly 
Mr.  Winfield 's  note,  telling  him  to  call  for  liis  money. 

489 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1839 

January  11th. — Looked  at  the  newspaper.  Went  to  Covent  Garden 
theatre,  superintended  the  rehearsal  of  the  new  drama,  which  I  saw 
there  was  an  absolute  necessity  for  altering  still  further,  and  took  the 
MS.  for  that  purpose.  Serle  and  Willmott  came  to  speak  on  business ; 
looked  at  the  dresses  for  the  Invincibles,  and  was  sorry  to  note  the 
prudery  of  Miss  Horton  and  Miss  Taylor.  Revised  the  third  act  of 
Richelieu  and  gave  it  to  Wilson.  Brydone  brought  me  the  bills,  which 
I  signed.  Acted  Werner  very  unsatisfactorily.  I  am  really  deterio- 
rating from  the  surrendering  my  time  and  thought  to  the  management. 
It  distresses  me  to  think  of  it.  Was  called  for  and  well  received  by 
the  audience.  Mr.  Thompson  was  brought  in  by  Harley  to  speak  to 
me  about  some  banners  for  the  new  drama.  Serle  gave  me  the  first 
act  of  his  melodrame.  Heaven  grant  its  success !  A  note  from  a 
Mr.  Glenny,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Court  Gazette,  very  abruptly 
and,  I  think,  rudely  questioning  me  upon  the  admission  granted  to  his 
paper.  Found  a  note  from  Bulwer  at  home.  Answered  Mr.  Glenny's 
note. 

January  l^th. — Went  to  theatre.  Spoke  to  Miss  P.  Horton  on  her 
unreasonable  objection  to  the  dress  of  the  character  in  the  Invincibles ; 
to  Mrs.  Warner,  suggesting  to  her  the  part  of  Francois  in  Richelieu. 
It  seems,  however,  I  had  some  years  ago  recommended  her,  as  a  woman, 
not  to  wear  male  attire  at  all,  and  she  has  scrupulously  adhered  to  my 
advice,  and  now  resolutely  acted  on  it.  I  did  not  press  the  point,  for 
I  respected  her  grounds  of  objection.  A  note  from  Miss  Horton,  resist- 
ing, most  prudishly,  the  dress  already  spoken  of;  annoyed  by  it. 
Bulwer  called,  and  we  talked  over  the  play. 

January  l^th. — Read  the  newspaper ;  noted  an  excellent  extract 
from  Bulwer's  works  on  good  sense.  I  have  received  great  benefit  from 
his  observations ;  far  more  than  from  anything  that  Talfourd  can  write, 
and  yet  how  the  latter  decries  him  ! — it  is  envy.  Noted  also  an  observa- 
tion on  the  licence  of  that  foul-mouthed  man,  Thesiger,  in  dragging 
forth  some  circumstance  of  H.  Berkeley's  private  life.  I  shall  remember 
it  to  use  it.  Read  over  and  proceeded  to  alter  the  new  drama,  which 
is  weak  and  has  no  strong  points. 

January  l^th. — Looked  at  the  newspaper,  in  which  were  some  really 
brutal  aristocratic  charges  of  brutality  on  the  Irish  people  by  those 

wretched  things  of  Lords — or  rouh,  !     Is  it  not  a  disgrace  to 

human  reason  that  such  wretches  as  these,  the  and  such  a  herd 

of  worthless  reptiles  in  human  form  should  be  allowed  to  legislate  for 
men  !     It  sickens  one  of  the  world. 
490 


DOUGLAS    JKRROLD 

From  an  tniiiaiii'ii 


1839]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

January  15th. — Harness  called  to  tell  me  the  strong  opinions  of  Mr. 
Milman  and  Miss  Martineau  against  Mrs.  Butler's  play,  that  he  had 
written  to  her  informing  her  of  them,  and  leaving  it  to  her  to  decide. 
I  told  him  I  could  not  abide  by  her  decision,  of  which  I  felt  already 
sure;  that  I  must  have  an  appui  in  the  opinion  of  her  friends  to  fall 
back  upon,  if  roughly  taxed  for  producing  such  an  immoral  play ;  that 
I  could  not  compromise  the  character  to  which  I  had  been  endeavouring 
to  raise  the  theatre. 

January  16th. — Willmott  told  me  of  Miss  Taylor's  continued  oppo- 
sition to  her  dress  in  the  InvincihlcSy  which  I  stated  (as  it  was  universally 
allowed  to  be  most  delicate)  she  must  wear  or  resign  the  part.  Acted 
Claude  Melnotte  pretty  well ;  was  called  for  and  well  received.     Letter 

from  Mary ;  poor  girl,  she  must  suffer  very  much.    I  feel  for  her. 

She  is  evidently  possessed  with  a  deep  and  absorbing  passion,  and  has 
right  notions.  I  feel  (what  I  have  in  reality  endured)  for  her  when  she 
speaks  of  her  agony  as  she  will  see  the  curtain  fall  and  shut  me  for 
ever  from  her  sight.  Poor,  poor  girl !  All  were  talking  about  her 
Majesty's  second  visit  to  the  Haymarket  theatre  to-night,  and  her 
neglect  of  Co  vent  Garden.  I  receive  it,  wliether  a  token  of  dislike  to 
our  establishment  or  no,  with  perfect  good-humour ;  the  sovereignty 
of  the  people  is  the  only  true  rule.  Let  her,  while  she  can  patronize 
the  morality  of  Drury  Lane  and  the  fine  taste  of  the  Haymarket,  leave 
Shakspeare  and  Co  vent  Garden  to  the  "  low  "  rabble.  .  .  .  The  Queen 
did  not  go  to  the  Haymarket. 

January  llth. — Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre ;  found  a  cart!  of 
Lord  Alfred  Paget,  and  on  it  that  *'  the  Queen  comes  early  to-morrow 
night."  Acted  Prosper©  rather  better  than  usual.  I  took  pains  with 
it  chiefly  because  Miss  Martineau  was  in  the  theatre.  Received  a  note 
from  her. 

January  18th. — Ivooked  in  the  newspaper,  in  which  I  was  glad  to 
see  that  O'Connell  had  denounced  that  wretched  creature's  (Lord 
Oxmantown's)  speech  ^  as  it  deserved.  Note  from  Knowles — a  very 
rude  one,  I  thought;  he  is  a  vulgar  person,  anything  but  a  gentleman 
in  mind,  heart,  or  manners.  I  sent  him  a  private  box  without  any 
other  answer.  Rooke  called  to  speak  about  his  opera — "  I  fear  thee, 
ancient   Mariner !  "      Lunn    brought    to    me    at    home    specimens    of 

^  The  speech  was  made  at  a  meeting  of  the  King's  County  magistrates,  a  few  days  after 
the  murder  of  Lord  Norbury,  in  denouncing  which  Lord  Oxmantown  made  an  excursion  into 
politics  which  appears  to  have  incensed  O'Connell  and  elicited  a  ichuke  from  the  Lord- 
Lieutenant. 

491 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1839 

bouquet-holders,  from  which  I  chose  one  for  the  Queen's  box.  Revised 
two  acts  of  Richelieu. 

January  Idth. — Forster  called.  Fox  called,  and  told  me  that  East- 
hope  of  the  Morning  Chronicle  had  given  way  to  the  importunities  of 
Mr.  Bunn's  friends,  and  that  hereafter  the  notices  of  Drury  Lane 
theatre  were  to  be — not  written  by  Mr.  Fox !  The  last  of  the  daily 
papers  that  made  any  pretensions  to  honesty  of  opinion.  Robertson 
came  in,  and  told  me  that  the  proprietors  were  going  to  advertise  the 
theatre  to  be  let.  I  told  him  it  would  ruin  the  season,  and  very  soon 
close  it.  He  justified  the  proprietors,  which  he  always  does,  and  cer- 
tainly ought  not  to  be  in  a  double  office.  He  cannot  serve  two 
masters.  I  told  him  that  I  would  not  depend  on  my  own  opinion,  I 
felt  so  strongly  on  the  matter,  but  that  I  would  ask  others. 

January  ^Oth. — Endeavoured  to  prepare  a  counter-advertisement  to 
neutralize  the  mischievous  intention  of  the  proprietors'  announcement 
of  the  theatre  to  let.  Could  not  easily  satisfy  myself,  being  anxious 
to  avoid  all  appearance  of  inculpating  those  honourable  persons  ( !) 
the  proprietors.  Forster  called  in,  talked  of  the  business,  and  made 
some  good  exceptions  to  the  heads  I  had  written  down.  He  stayed 
dinner.  Received  from  Forster  a  copy  of  the  resolutions  passed  by  the 
meeting  of  friends  who  subscribed  the  .£1000  for  Covent  Garden 
theatre.  Most  kind  and  flattering  to  me.  Leader,  M.P.,  in  the  chair 
— Gaskell,  M.P.,  mover — Osborne  seconder. 

January  21st. — Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre ;  spoke  with 
Robertson  in  a  very  long  conversation.  I  told  him  that  I  was  quite 
indifferent  now  to  the  insertion  of  the  advertisement,  which  the  pro- 
prietors were  welcome,  as  far  as  I  was  concerned,  to  publish.  He 
declared  that  the  proprietors  had  no  feeling  of|  hostility  towards  me 
whatever,  that  they  had  most  at  heart  the  welfare  of  the  performers, 
etc.,  and  much  which  the  conduct  of  the  preceding  Saturday  did  not 
seem  to  bear  out.  He,  however,  positively  withdrew  the  advertisement, 
which  I  told  him  I  was  fully  prepared  to  meet. 

January  23rd. — Note  from  the  Vice-Chamberlain  informing  me  of 
the  Queen's  intention  to  command  next  week,  and  wishing  a  list  of 
plays.  Received  a  number  of  sketches  by  young  Scharf,  with  a  letter, 
wishing  to  dedicate  the  work  to  me.  Went  into  the  painting-room, 
and  spoke  with  Marshall.  Acted  Claude  Melnotte  pretty  well.  Found 
Forster  at  home,  and  a  note  from  Mr.  Hall,  wishing  to  dedicate  a 
volume  of  his  Book  of  Gems  to  me.     Dickens  sent  me  his  Oliver  Twist. 

January  24t7i. — Heard  that  the  Queen  was  going  to  pay  a  third 
492 


1839]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

visit  to  Drury  Lane  theatre  to  see  the  lions,  and  after  the  performance 
to  go  on  the  stage !  ^ 

January  25t/^. — Read  in  the  Morning  Post  the  account  of  the 
Queen's  third  visit  to  Drury  Lane  theatre  to  see  the  beasts,  and  of 
her  going  upon  the  stage  after  the  pantomime  to  see  them  fed.  Mr. 
Martin,  the  Vice-Chamberlain,  called,  wishing  to  know  if  we  could 
send  him  word  of  the  length  of  each  that  I  could  offer.  He  did  not 
exactly  know  the  night  she  would  come  (I  believe  he  was  enjoined  not 
to  communicate  what  he  did  know),  and  thought  the  Lady  of  Lyons 
would  be  the  play. 

January  26th. — Mr.  Martin,  the  Vice-Chamberlain,  arrived  to 
inform  me  of  the  night  on  which  the  Queen  would  command  (which 
they  knew  two  days  ago  1)  and  of  the  plays  she  had  selected  :  Lady  of 
Lyons  and  Rob  Roy.  Received  a  note  from  Dickens,  wishing  me  to 
look  in  upon  the  Shakspeare  Club  in  the  course  of  the  evening.  Went 
to  the  Shakspeare  Club,  where  I  had  to  return  thanks,  greatly  to  my 
annoyance. 

January  31st. — Found  my  desk  covered  with  notes  and  letters ;  one 
from  Count  D'Orsay,  most  kindly  suggesting  to  me  the  avoidance  of 
several  defects  complained  of  by  the  Queen  at  Drury  Lane.  I  answered 
it,  and  asked  him  to  obtain  for  me  some  information  respecting 
Richelieu  from  Count  de  Vigny,  the  author  of  Cinq  Mars. 

February  1st. — Looked  at  the  paper,  and  went  to  Covent  Garden 
theatre,  where  I  was  occupied  with  business,  fuss,  etc.,  the  ichole  day — 
the  preparations  for  the  evening,  the  refreshments,  the  Queen's  box, 
etc. ;  all  little  affairs,  very  teasing,  very  fatiguing ;  seeing  persons 
applying  for  cards ;  notes  from  the  Vice-Chamberlain,  etc.  A  very 
kind  note  from  Count  D'Orsay,  enclosing  one,  most  kind  and  compli- 
mentary, from  the  Comte  de  Vigny : 

"J'ai  tard^  h.  te  rdpondre,  cher  ami,  dans  Tespoir  do  pouvoir  di-ranger  mes 
affaires  de  manifere  -K  me  rendre  h  ton  invitation,  mais  je  ne  lo  pourrai  pa«,  jc  le  vois 
aujourd'hui.  II  me  faut  ajler  dans  le  Berkshire,  et  je  ne  wiis  pjis  quel  jour  je 
reviendrai ;  mais  il  sera  dans  peu  de  temps.  En  revcnant,  jo  t'6crirai  sur  le  champ, 
et  je  prendrai  un  matin  ou  une  houre  pour  causer  avec  le  grand  tragedien,  que  j'ai 
admir6  et  applaudi  (sans  qu'il  s'en  soit  dout(^)  dans  prcsquo  tous  lea  grands  rules,  et 
dornifcrement  dans  la  Tempete.  II  sera  bien  beau  dans  RicUdien,  et  j'aurai 
beaucoup  ^  lui  diro  de  cot  homme,  dont  j'ai  ('■to  I'eiinemi  intimc  iwndant  tout  lo 
terme  que  j'ai  (5crit  Oiiiq  Mars.     Quand  on   attend  une  rt'ponso  h  ma  porto,  je 


*  Macready  seems  to  have  forgotten  that  the  Queen  was  still  in  her  teens,  and  more 
likely  to  appreciate  Van  Ambuigh  and  his  lions  than  the  "  k'tjitiniatc  drama,"  ti)  which, 
moreover,  she  had  given  by  no  means  illiberal  patronage. 

493 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1839 

suis  au  supplice.  J'avais  bien  des  choses  k  te  dire  de  mon  amiti(;,  mais  j'irai  achever 
ma  phrase  en  t'embrassant, 

"A  toi  mille  fois, 

"Alfred  de  Vigny." 

Acted  Claude  Melnotte  very  fairly.  Her  Majesty  did  not  arrive  until 
twenty-five  minutes  past  seven.  My  reception  was  most  enthusiastic, 
and  the  play,  Lady  of  Lyons ^  was  very  warmly  received.  I  had 
undressed,  and  was  preparing  to  put  on  my  court  suit,  when  an  equerry 
came  from  her  Majesty  to  desire  me  to  go  on,  as  the  audience  were 
calling  for  me.  I  did  not  know  what  to  do — told  him,  and  showed  him 
that  I  was  quite  undressed,  but  that  I  would  do  whatever  her  Majesty 
desired.  He  left  me,  and  I  thought  it  better  to  put  on  my  dress  again, 
which  I  did,  and  receiving  a  second  message  from  her  Majesty,  went  on 
as  Melnotte  before  the  audience,  and  met  with  a  most  enthusiastic 
reception,  her  Majesty  and  the  Lord  Chamberlain  joining  in  the 
applause.  Dressed  in  full  court  dress,  went  up  to  see  Miss  Martineau, 
and  then  into  Marianne  Skerrett's  box.  She  was  delighted  to  see  me, 
and  introduced  me  to  her  two  friends,  colleagues  in  office !  The 
coulisses  were  crowded.  I  saw,  just  to  grasp  hands  as  I  passed,  Flad- 
gate,  R.  Price,  Warren,  Harris,  Browning,  Forster,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
T.  Chitty,  C.  Barker — an  old  schoolfellow,  to  whom  I  had  given  a  card 
in  the  morning — Fitzgerald,  Troughton,  etc.  Went  into  the  ante- 
room when  her  Majesty  came  out.  Lord  Conyngham  called  me  to  her, 
and  she  condescended  to  say  "I  have  been  very  much  pleased."  I 
bowed,  and  lighted  her  down.  Glad  to  conclude  a  day  that  has  been 
very  wearying  to  me.     All  went  off  very  satisfactorily. 

February  2nd. — Saw  the  newspapers.  The  Morning  Post  reported 
the  proceedings  of  the  night  in  a  fair  spirit.  The  Morning  Herald 
and  the  Times  merely  mentioned  what  related  to  the  Queen — these 
honest  persons.  Saw  the  Court  Journal,  which  contains  a  wretched 
piece  of  trash,  justifying  the  Queen's  patronage  of  Mr.  Van  Amburgh  I 

February  3rd. — Answered  D'Orsay's  letter,  and  copied  Comte  de 
Vigny 's  note  to  him. 

February  4t^. — Received  a  note  from  Marianne,  giving  me  a  long 
account  of  the  Queen,  Baroness  Lehzen,^  and  the  Duchess  of  Kent. 

February  5th. — Very  kind  note  from  D'Orsay,  enclosing  one  from 
Byng,  Comptroller  of  the  Household,  expressing  the  satisfaction  which 
was  given  by  Covent  Garden  theatre  at  the  command.     Miss  Taylor 

*  Formerly  the  Queen's  governess.     She  had  great  influence  over  the  Queen,  which  was 
much  resented  in  certain  quarters. 

494 


1839]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

refused  to  wear  the  dress  in  the  Invincihles ^  and  I  accordingly  was 
obliged  to  take  her  out  of  the  part.  Note  from  the  Queen's  equerry 
informing  me  of  her  intention  to  visit  the  theatre  this  evening.  Looked 
at  the  papers — Times  and  Herald — both  of  which  noticed  in  terms  of 
high  commendation  Mr.  Van  Amburgh's  beasts;  of  course  were  silent 
on  Covent  Garden.  Acted  Prospero  partially  well — not  entirely.  The 
Queen  came  but  was  not  recognized.     Attended  to  business. 

February  6th. — Acted  Claude  Melnotte  tolerably  well  in  parts. 
Was  called  for,  and  in  leading  on  Miss  Faucit  was  offended  with  her 
ill-humour,  evidently  arising  from  not  having  been  called  upon  the 
Queen's  visit.  Was  well  received.  Sir  E.  Bulwer  came  into  my  room 
and  sat  some  time.     Forster  came  in. 

February  8th. — Barham  called  to  thank  me  for  his  card  of  entrie 
on  Friday  last ;  told  me  he  feared  the  Garrick  Club  would  not  stand. 
Received  a  note  of  invitation  for  Saturday  from  D'Orsay  to  meet  De 
Vigny.  Went  home ;  spent  an  evening  with  my  children,  romping 
and  playing.     They  were  very  happy. 

February  9th. — Answered  two  girls,  who  wrote,  wishing  to  come  on 
the  stage.  I  thought  it  much  better  not  to  see  them.  What  business 
have  I  with  them  ?  Note  from  Brockedon  enclosing  one,  attesting  the 
spread  of  my  reputation  to  Germany.  Wrote  to  a  petitioner  in  great 
distress,  sending  him  £1.  Heard  from  Mr.  Burnett  that  the  Anti- 
Corn  Law  Committee  had  decided  on  holding  their  meeting  at  Covent 
Garden,  although  Drury  Lane  was  offered  for  £50  less ! 

February  11th. — Bulwer,  Tennyson  D'Eyncourt,  and  Forster  came 
into  my  room  and  sat  some  time.  Note  from  D'Orsay.  Found  a  note 
informing  me  that  he  had  a  play  from  B.  Disraeli  ! ! ! 

February  l^th. — Serle,  Robertson,  and  Brydone  came  into  my 
room  ;  the  latter  told  me  that  the  Queen  was  at  Drury  Lane;  that  the 
claqueurs  tried  to  get  up  a  call  to  bring  the  performers  on,  and  that 
the  Queen  came  forward  in  her  box  and  responded  to  it ! 

February  12th. — Read  the  newspaper,  or  rather  tliat  portion  of  it 
which  gave  the  debate  on  national  education,  in  which  I  entirely  sympa- 
thized with  the  feelings  and  opinions  uttered  by  Mr.  Wyse.  AH  that 
these  wretched  Lords  John  and  Francis,  Stanleys,  Ashleys,  Peels,  etc., 
think  of  is  the  question  of  place;  the  welfare  of  millions,  their  intel- 
lectual progress,  the  cultivation  of  their  reason  is  to  depend  on  the 
question.  Is  this  earth  still  to  be  the  mere  material  for  these  wretche<l 
knaves'  ingenuity  to  work  power  and  name  out  of?  Or  is  there — can 
there  be  a  hell  of  adequate  punishment  for  such  cold-blooded  perverters 

49  f 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1889 

of  benevolent  and  gracious  purposes?  I  am  sick  at  heart  with  them 
all.  Called  on  Mrs.  Jameson.  She  wished  to  read  a  play  with  me — 
made  an  appointment  for  to-morrow. 

February  14t/i. — Received  a  note  from  the  equerry-in-waiting  to 
intimate  her  Majesty's  intention  of  coming  to  the  theatre  this  evening. 
Mrs.  Jameson  called,  and  read  the  greater  part  of  her  MS. — a  transla- 
tion from  a  German  play  by  the  Princess  Amelia  of  Saxony.  There 
was  much  to  praise  in  it.  Acted  Claude  Melnotte  rather  wearily. 
Mrs.  Jameson's  visit  had  knocked  me  up.  Was  called  for,  and  well 
received  by  the  audience.  The  Queen  and  Duchess  of  Kent  were  at 
the  theatre  to  see  the  farce. 

February  \6th. — Went  to  Lady  Blessington's  with  Forster,  who 
had  called  in  the  course  of  the  day.  Met  there  Count  de  Vigny,  with 
whom  I  had  a  most  interesting  conversation  on  Richelieu.  I  made  an 
appointment  with  him  to  see  him  on  mardi  prochain.  Met  also,  with 
D'Orsay,  Bulwer,  Charles  BuUer,  Lord  Durham,  who  was  very  cordial 
and  courteous  to  me,  Captain  Marry  at,  who  wished  to  be  re-introduced 
to  me.  Hall,  Standish,  Chorley,  Greville,  who  wished  to  be  introduced 
to  me  also.  Dr.  Quin,  etc.  Passed  a  very  agreeable  two  hours.  Mr. 
Greville  told  a  story  of  Le  Kain  in  Mithridate.  When  some  one  on 
the  stage  observed,  "II  changera  son  visage,"  one  in  the  parterre 
exclaimed,  "Laissez-le  faire." 

February  IHth. — Letter  from  the  equerry-in-waiting,  apprising 
me  of  the  Queen's  intended  visit  to  Covent  Garden  this  evening.  Read 
over  King  Lear.  Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre.  Acted  King  Lear 
well.  The  Queen  was  present,  and  I  pointed  at  her  the  beautiful  lines  : 
'*  Poor  naked  wretches  I  "     Was  called  for,  and  well  received. 

February  19th, — Received  Jerdan's  dishonoured  note,  or  draught 
on  Longmans  for  his  debt  to  me  of  £10.  Oh,  Jerdan !  Jerdan ! 
Attended  to  business  with  Marshall,  who  engaged  to  have  the  scenery 
of  the  new  play  finished  on  Monday ;  with  Bradwell  about  the  armour 
for  play ;  with  Serle  on  various  matters.  Robertson  informed  me  that 
there  was  every  chance  of  the  ejection  of  that  scoundrel,  Mr.  Bunn, 
from  Drury  I^ane  theatre.  If  such  an  end  be  accomplished  I  shall  think 
my  pains  and  sacrifices  amply  recompensed  in  the  wide  benefit  conferred 
on  all  engaged  in  this  profession.  Went  over  his  part  of  Mauprat 
with  Mr.  Anderson ;  afterwards  the  part  of  Francois  with  Mr.  Howe ; 
settled  dresses  with  Head,  and  talked  on  business  with  Brydone. 

February  9,0th. — Read  the  newspaper,  which,  with  the  debate  on 
Villiers's  motion  for  hearing  evidence  on  the  Corn  Law  question,  and 
496 


1839]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

some  sparring  about  Mr.  Turton  ^  in  the  House  of  Lords  occupied  me 
long.  Gave  my  attention  to  the  consideration  oi"  the  character  of 
Richelieu,  which  Bulwer  has  made  particularly  difficult  by  its  incon- 
sistency ;  he  has  made  him  resort  to  low  jest,  which  outrages  one's 
notions  of  the  ideal  of  Cardinal  Richelieu,  with  all  his  vanity,  and 
suppleness,  and  craft. 

February  21st. — Walked  out,  and  called  on  Comte  de  Vigny ;  sat 
with  him  very  long,  and  was  amply  repaid  for  the  time  I  gave.  He 
related  to  me  a  variety  of  anecdotes  illustrative  of  the  characters  of 
Louis  XHI,  Richelieu,  of  Cinq  Mars,  etc.  He  is  an  enthusiast, 
particularly  for  dramatic  literature.  He  made  a  literal  translation 
of  Othello,  and  produced  it  at  the  Theatre  Frangais.  He  spoke  with 
fervour  of  my  performances,  and  was  much  dissatisfied  with  our  custom 
of  allowing  women  to  frequent  our  pit,  because  the  sympathy  was 
checked  by  their  intervention.  He  spoke  like  a  poet,  and  with  all  the 
power  and  characteristic  effect  of  a  superior  actor.  I  was  very  much 
pleased  with  him.     A  MS.  tragedy  and  note  from  B.  Disraeli. 

February  22nd. — Read  the  paper,  and  gave  my  attention  to  the 
inquiry  as  to  the  possibility  of  reconciling  the  character  which  Bulwer 
has  drawn  under  the  name  of  Cardinal  Richelieu  with  the  original, 
from  which  it  so  entirely  differs.     Was  not  much  cheered  by  the  result 
of  my  investigation  and  experiment.     Mr.   Elton  called  by  appoint- 
ment, and  I  spoke  to  him  about  the  manner  in  which  he  had  rehearsed 
the  part  of  Louis  XIII.     He  talked  in  his  old  strain  of  disappoint- 
ment, etc.,  although  he  came  from  playing  in  the  Love  Chase  at  the 
Haymarket  to  act  Edgar,  Beauseant,  etc.,  at  Covent  Garden.     He  is 
bent  on  his  ruin,  I  am  confident.     I  read  him  various  extracts  from 
Anquetil  and  Cinq  Mars,  to  show  him  the  weak  and  nervous  character 
of  Louis,  of  which  he  knew  nothing,  nor  would  he  have  known  any- 
thing.    He  went  away  seemingly  more  at  ease  about  his  part  than  he 
came.     A  letter  from  Wightwick  (who  had  heard  that  I  was  coming 
to  Plymouth)  informing  me  that  Mr.  C.   Kean  had  been  playing  to 
houses  of  £140  and  =£150  each — more  than  the  theatre  will  hold  !— 
and   entreating   me   not   to  come,    as  I    should    be   mortified    by   the 
contrast.     It  was  kind  in  him,  but  I  had  no  thought  of  going,  as  I 
told  him  in  my  answer.     Resumed  Richelieu,  which  I  must  fabricate. 
Attended  to  it  in  the  evening. 

February  23rd. — Found  at  the  theatre  a  letter  about  a  play  from 

1  One  of  Lord  Durham's  secretaries  in  Canada  ;  though  an  able  man,  his  antecedents  were 
somewhat  questionable,  and  his  appointment  was  severely  criticized. 

VOL.  I.  KK.  497 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1839 

Mr.  James/  the  novelist.  Rehearsed  the  play  of  Richelieu,  with  which 
I  had  some  trouble.  Miss  Faucit  spoke  to  me  about  her  dress.  Note 
from  the  equerry-in-waiting,  announcing  the  Queen's  intention  of 
coming.  The  Queen  came  and  went  directly  the  play  was  over.  I  was 
called  for,  and  well  received.  C.  Buller  came  into  my  room,  and 
stayed  talking  some  time. 

February  24t/i. — Went  through  with  some  attention,  though  I 
could  not  read  word  for  word,  the  tragedy  of  Mr.  G.  Stephens.^  Serle 
has  given  a  very  complimentary  opinion  upon  it.  This  gentleman, 
in  my  mind,  with  very  superior  abilities,  has  a  warp  in  his  mind  or 
taste,  which  nullifies  his  best  efforts.  Answered  Mr.  Phelps's  applica- 
tion very  courteously,  sending  him  an  order  for  £50.  Wrote  to  Count 
de  Vigny  with  the  card  of  the  Kent  box.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dickens, 
Forster  and  O'Hanlon  called. 

February  25th. — Acted  King  Lear,  not  to  my  own  satisfaction, 
though  I  was  called  for,  and  very  warmly  received  by  the  audience. 
Bulwer  and  Forster  came  into  my  room,  and  afterwards  the  Comte 
de  Vigny,  who  expressed  himself  much  pleased  with  the  play.  Bulwer 
spoke  to  me  about  Richelieu,  and  satisfied  me  on  the  justice  of  his 
draught  of  the  character  from  the  evidence  that  history  has  given  us. 
Allans  done  a  la  gloire!  Coming  home  found  letters  (as  he  had 
forewarned  me)  and  more  MS.  from  Bulwer. 

February  ^Hth. — Read  the  paper,  in  which  was  a  very  sensible 
article  on  the  canting  restriction  put  upon  the  Lent  nights  of  perform- 
ance. Misconceived  the  substance  of  a  note  from  that  ludicrously 
wretched  fellow,  Mr.  E.  Reade,  author  of  The  Deluge,  etc.  He 
had  endeavoured  to  bribe  me,  by  a  promise  of  dedicating  his  miserable 
play  to  me,  to  act  it.  There  were  two  previous  dedications  erased  in 
the  MS.  to  make  way  for  me — one  to  Sir,  something,  Charles  Reade, 
his  cousin ;  the  other  to  J.  S.  Knowles.  He  had  also  published  his 
intention  of  dedication.  He,  now  that  I  again  refuse  to  act  it,  writes 
to  intimate  his  intention  of  publishing  it  "  and  dedicating  it  accord- 
ingly " !  For  this  relief  much  thanks !  Note  from  Bulwer,  which  I 
answered.  Note  from  Forster,  which  I  also  answered.  Bulwer  has 
asked  Lady  Blesslngton  and  D'Orsay  to  go  to  the  rehearsal — an 
indiscreet  step — to  me  an   unpleasant  one.     Continued   my   work  on 

^  George  Pa)me  Rainsford  James  (1799-1860) ;  the  well-known  novelist  and  historian. 
He  had  written  a  novel  on  the  subject  of  Richelieu  some  years  previously. 

*  George  Stephens  (1800-1851);  a  dramatist  of  no  particular  note.  His  best-known 
work  was  a  tragedy  entitled  Martinuzzi,  produced  by  Phelps  at  the  English  Opera  House  in 
1841. 

498 


1839]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

Richelieu.  Received  a  note  from  Comte  de  Vigny.  Gave  the  evening 
to  Richelieu.    Wrote  another  note  to  Bulwer. 

February  28th. — Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre.  Received  two 
MSS. — one  from  a  person  signing  Septimus,  another  from  Mr. 
Mayhew,  with  a  recommendatory  letter  from  Mr.  G.  Smith,  the  gentle- 
man who  has  been  doing  us  all  the  injury  in  his  power  in  John 
Bull!  Rehearsed  the  play  of  Richelieu,  which  occupied  the  whole 
morning  till  past  four  o'clock.  Forster  was  present  for  most  of  the 
time.  Bulwer  called  to  seek  him  after  he  had  gone.  A  letter  from 
Knowles  inquiring  "  when  the  play  of  Woman^s  Wit  would  l>e  done  "  1 
A  play  that  was  only  sustained  Ijy  the  proprietors  foregoing  rent  and 
I  salary !  !  Miss  Faucit  wished  to  speak  to  me — to  ask  for  leave  of 
absence  to-morrow,  which  I  could  not  grant. 

March  1st. — Looked  at  the  paper,  in  which  was  the  debate  upon 
theatrical  entertainments  on  the  Wednesdays  and  Fridays  in  Lent.  I 
am  quite  indifferent  to  the  question,  which  does  not  now  affect  myself ; 
but  could  any  man,  with  a  desire  to  distinguish  religion  from  hypo- 
crisy and  cant,  read  the  speeches  of  Lord  John  Russell  and  Lord 
Teignmouth,  and  that  recreant  caitiff,  Sir  James  Graham,  without 
feelings  of  indignation  and  disgust.  Such  seemed  to  have  been  the 
general  feelings  of  the  House  of  Commons ;  and  these  are  our  legis- 
lators— our  rulers  I !  !     God  help  us  I 

March  2nd. — Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre,  where  I  rehearsed 

Richelieu;  was  much  annoyed  by  Mr.  's  absence,  who  is  confined 

by  gout — induced  by  a  system  of  niglitly  intoxication.  He  is  too  bad 
— a  wretched  man,  on  whom  there  is  no  dependence.  Paid  constant 
attention  to  the  progress  of  the  play,  and  thought  it  wore  an  improved 
appearance.  Miss  Faucit  dined  with  me  at  half-past  four.  Mr.  J. 
Vining  called  at  the  theatre  in  the  course  of  the  morning  to  inquire 
if  I  intended  to  act  on  Wednesday,^  as  they  would  do  so  at  Drury 
Lane,  and  if  I  did  the  same  that  Madame  Vestris  would.  I  said 
certainly  not;  that  while  the  law  existed,  though  I  condemned,  I 
thought  it  more  graceful  to  obey  than  to  infringe  it. 

March  Srd. — Looked  at  the  newspaper,  in  which  was  an  excellent 
review  of  Sydney  Smith's  letter;  a  clergyman!!  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Dickens,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  T.  Cooke,  Forstor,  Ainsworth,  Cattermole, 
Maclise,  G.  Rucknill  came  to  dine  with  us. 

»  At  this  time  there  were  no  theatrical  performances  on  Wednesdays  nnd  Fridays  in 

Lent  at  the  London  theatr.-s  under  the  I^>rd  Chamljerlain's  jurisdiction  {tio/e  by  Sir  F. 
Pollock). 

Y.Y.2  499 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1839 

March  5th. — Went  with  much  care  through  the  rehearsal  of 
Richelieu.  By  an  accident  of  the  printers  Mrs.  Warner's  name  was 
inserted  in  the  bills  for  Catherine  in  the  farce  instead  of  Miss  Faucit's ; 
notice  was  sent  to  her,  and  she  came  in  very  ill  temper  to  speak  about 
it.  I  accosted  her  very  kindly,  and  she  attacked  me,  asserting  that  the 
measure  had  been  adopted  "for  the  mere  accommodation  of  Miss 
Faucit."  This  was  too  bad  from  a  person  under  such  obligations  as 
Mrs.  Warner  is  to  me.  It  is  indeed  most  ungrateful.  She  wished  to 
speak  to  me  again,  and  I  went  to  hear  what  she  had  to  say,  expecting 
to  find  her  anxious  to  express  her  regret  for  her  previous  intemperance, 
but  she  only  aggravated  what  had  passed  before.  Bulwer  came  in  and  saw 
the  last  three  acts  rehearsed,  with  which  he  seemed  very  well  satisfied. 

March  6th. — Rehearsed  Richelieu.  Mr.  Bainbridge,  of  the  Lord 
Chamberlain's  oflRce,  called  to  say  the  Queen  was  coming  to-morrow 
night,  and  wished  to  have  a  book  of  the  play.  I  wrote  to  Forster 
about  it ;  received  his  answer,  to  which  I  returned  a  reply,  and  dis- 
missed Mr.  Bainbridge  with  the  assurance  that  a  copy  would  be  sent 
to  Lord  Conyngham  in  the  course  of  the  evening.  Tried  on  my  dress 
with  Head.  Went  home  about  six  o'clock.  Read  through  the  part 
of  Richelieu.     God  grant  a  triumph  !     Amen  ! 

March  7tfe. — Colonel  Cavendish  and  his  two  sons  called ;  his  busi- 
ness was  to  tell  me  that  the  Queen  would  come  this  evening.  Lay 
down  after  dinner  to  compose  my  shaken  nerves.  Bulwer  called,  and 
disturbed  me — to  give  me  a  book  for  the  Queen.  At  the  same  time 
a  letter  was  delivered  to  me ;  when  Bulwer  had  left  me  I  opened  the 
letter.  It  was  from  Colonel  Cavendish  to  inform  me  that  the  Queen 
would  not  come  this  evening.  Acted  Cardinal  Richelieu  ^  very 
nervously ;  lost  my  self-possession,  and  was  obliged  to  use  too  much 
effort ;  it  did  not  satisfy  me  at  all,  there  were  no  artist-like  touches 
through  the  play.  How  can  a  person  get  up  such  a  play  and  do  justice 
at  the  same  time  to  such  a  character  ?  It  is  not  possible.  Was  called 
for  and  very  enthusiastically  received ;  gave  out  the  play  for  every 
night.  Jerdan,  Smith,  Brydone,  D'Orsay,  Bulwer  and  Forster  came 
into  my  room.  The  success  of  the  play  seemed  to  be  unequivocal. 
What  will  the  papers  say? 

March  Sth. — Saw  the  papers.    The  Morning  Chronicle  was  as  usual 

^  The  principal  parts  in  Richelieu  were  cast  as  follows :  Louis  XIII,  Mr.  Elton  ; 
Gaston,  Mr.  Diddear  ;  Richelieu,  Mr.  Macready  ;  Baradas,  Mr.  Warde  ;  Mauprat,  Mr. 
Anderson  ;  De  Beringhen,  Mr.  Vining  ;  Father  Joseph,  Mr.  Phelps ;  Huguet,  Mr.  George 
Bennett ;  Fran9ois,  Mr.  Howe  ;  Julie  de  Mortemar,  Miss  Helen  Faucit ;  Marion  de  Lorme 
Miss  Charles  (riote  by  Sir  F.  Pollock). 
500 


1839]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

most  kind  and  eulogistic ;  the  Times,  although  trying  to  damn  with 
faint  praise,  admitting  much  more  than  I  expected,  and  enough  to 
give  to  its  readers,  who  know  its  baseness,  the  assurance  of  success. 
Went  to  the  theatre,  where  I  cut  the  play  with  the  performers,  and 
expressed  myself  much  obliged  by  their  zeal  and  industry.  When  we 
had  separated,  Bulwer  came  and  altered  all  that  we  had  arranged — 
annoying  and  disconcerting  me  very  much.  I  struggled  for  the  omission 
of  several  passages,  but  he  was  triumphant,  and  therefore  no  longer 
so  docile  as  I  had  heretofore  found  him. 

March  9th. — Met  Mrs.  Warner,  who  looked  very  differently  at 
me,  poor  foolish  woman.  Spoke  with  great  kindness  to  Miss  Rain- 
forth  about  her  neglect  of  the  opportunity  afforded  her,  ascribing 
it  to  the  attention  a  gentleman  in  the  theatre  was  showing  her,  caution- 
ing her  against  the  danger  of  trifling  with  the  part  in  the  new  opera. 
She  seemed  very  grateful,  and  promised  to  give  her  mind  to  her  study. 
Colonel  Cavendish  brought  me  word  that  the  Queen,  prevented  by 
the  weather  on  Thursday  night,  would  come  this  evening. 

March  10th. — Bulwer  called  and  remained  for  about  two  hours 
making  alterations.  Forster  called  with  the  various  newspapers. 
Forster  related  Bulwer 's  domestic  imbroglio.*  Read  passages  from  a 
play  of  Landor's  Giovanna  of  Naples — of  great  beauty. 

March  llth. — Note  from  Comte  de  Vigny.  Attended  the  rehearsal 
for  the  cutting  of  the  play.  Acted  the  part  of  Richelieu  very  indif- 
ferently;  was  quite  out  of  temper  Avith  myself  and  everybody  else. 
Was  called  for  and  well  received — much  better  than  I  deserved. 
Business  with  Bulwer,  making  further  alterations. 

March  12t?i. — Saw  the  paper,  in  which  Lord  John  Russell,  upon 
the  debate  on  Buncombe's  motion,  drew  a  comparison  between  the 
conduct  pursued  at  Covent  Garden  and  Drury  I.ane  to  my  advantage 
— it  is,  however,  a  poor  compliment  to  be  mentioned  in  company  with 
that  wretched  dastard,  Mr.  Bunn.  Looked  again  at  the  play.  Acted 
Cardinal  Richelieu  well;  was  called  for  and  very  enthusiastically 
greeted.     Forster,    Brydone,   Serle,   Robertson,    etc.,   came   into   my 

room. 

March    ISth.—Two   long    notes    from    Bulwer '—with    more   last 

»  Bulwer's  differences  with  his  wife,  which  led  to  separation  and  soon  became  public 
property. 

2  One  of  these  is  given  below  : 

«•  MV   DEAR    MACRKAPY, 

"  I  saw  a  good  deal  of  the  plav  last  night,  which  went  off  better  than  on  Monday. 
The  restitution  of  the  second  scene,  Act  III.  was  quite  right.    I  wish  time  could  allow  a  little 

501 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1839 

words — and  a  lengthy  criticism  on  some  points  of  my  performance,  in 
which  he  wishes  me  to  substitute  coarse  and  vulgar  attempt  at  low 
farcical  point  in  one  instance,  and  melodramatic  rant  in  another  for 
the  more  delicate  shadings  of  character  that  I  endeavour  to  give.  I 
have  long  had  surmises  about  Bulwer's  taste  from  several  things  in  the 
comedy  of  La  Valliere — in  the  original  of  The  Lady  of  Lyons  and  in 
the  original  copy  of  this  play.     I  am  sure  that  his  taste  is  not  to  be 

of  the  comic  part,  Act  II.  It  is  missed,  and  has  been  complained  of  to  me  in  many  quarters. 
But,  perhaps,  at  all  events  it  is  too  late  to  re-alter,  even  if  time  could  be  spared. 

"  I  wish  to  say  I  was  much  more  struck  by  your  acting  in  the  three  last  acts  to-night  than 
even  heretofore,  and  so,  I  think,  was  the  House  generally.  Forgive  me  if  I  say  that  the  ntore 
you  come  out  from  subdued  dryness  into  power  (which  you  did  to-night)  the  more  brilliant 
your  success  will  be,  and  the  more  you  will  realize  the  Cardinal — "  co/ire  et  orgutilUiix  dont 
chaque  pensee  avait  tout  le  chaleur  d'une  passion."  De  Vigny  was  wrong  in  thinking  him 
so  sec ;  there  was  plenty  of  animal  spirits  in  him.  In  the  grave  part  of  your  performance 
I  see  only  one  sentence  in  which  I  could  wish  another  conception.  It  is  the  end  of  the 
act — where  you  say  'away  with  him.'  Now  you  speak  'away  with  him  '  with  contemptu- 
ous sport  like  a  man  brushing  away  a  trifle  !  The  audiences,  however,  are  prepared  for 
something  much  more  vehement — and  the  thought  of  your  conception  is  almost  too  subtle 
for  the  gigantic  audiences  you  have — but  I  think  it  would  be  more  like  the  Cardinal,  who  is 
accustomed  to  come  and  feast  over  the  execution  of  his  foes,  to  throw  more  of  the  deadly 
force  of  malignant  and  exulting  vindictiveness  into  the  words — something  more  to  corre- 
spond with  his  laugh  in  baffling  the  murderers  at  the  castle.  I  would  have  him  release  the 
devil  of  his  rage  upon  his  victim.  I  would  make  him  follow  with  eyes  that  threaten  savage 
victory  the  retreating  form  of  Baradas — in  fact,  here  I  would  have  the  effect  that  of  power, 
the  closing  power  of  the  speech.  In  the  comic  part  (you  must  pardon  my  presumption  in 
this)  I  must  still  fancy  that  greater  breadth  of  humour — more  of  what  the  French  call 
malice — would  illustrate  the  character  more  vividly,  and  be  infinitely  more  effective.  I 
fancy  the  Cardinal  with  a  CHUCKLE — 'le  rire  presque  gai,  mais  toujours  insultant ' — which  is 
ascribed  to  him.  Thus  in  '  Colonel  and  Nobleman,  my  bashful  Iluguet,  that  can  never  be  ' 
— if  it  could  be  said  with  a  more  jovial  laugh,  and  then  with  a  pointed  slyness  (no  pause,  but 
fronting  the  audience)  and  almost  a  wink  of  the  eye  to  Joseph,  'We'll  promise,'  etc. — this, 
I  think,  would  be  more  effective.  So  after  he  has  told  Iluguet  he  may  be  noble,  why  not 
let  him  exchange  a  broad  humorous  glance  with  Joseph,  whom  he  passes  at  the  moment, 
as  much  as  to  say,  'There  now,  isn't  that  cleverly  done  ? '  In  'Joseph,  Bishop  Joseph,'  I 
think  it  will  be  much  more  effective  if  you  don't  repeat  Joseph  twice — but  make  the  point 
more  sudden  and  hearty,  'Ah  Joseph — Bishop  Joseph,' and  absolutely  touch  his  ribs  with 
the  forefinger  ;  there  should,  I  am  sure,  be  no  pause  and  no  reiteration  between  Joseph  and 
Bishop  Joseph.  Now  I  have  said  eno'  to  make  you  think  me  the  most  presuming  dc^  you 
have  ever  seen  thrusting  his  paw  into  other  people's  paniers  !  But,  mon  cher,  you  have  been 
as  frank  with  me — so  tit  for  tat. 

"  May  I  further  beg  you  to  implore  Miss  Faucit  lo  say,  '  I  love  AND  I  am  a  woman  '  ; 
and  with  as  much  majestic  swelling  as  she  can  ;  to-night  she  says  *  I  love  but  I  am  a  woman,' 
which  is  nonsense,  and  she  whined  it  into  the  bargain. 

* '  Think  as  leniently  as  you  can  of  my  suggestions. 

' '  Yrs.  ever, 

"E.  L.  B. 
"H.  of  C. 

"  Tuesday  night." 
502 


1839]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

depended  on.  Saw  the  Times,  in  which  was  a  letter  from  that  con- 
temptible wretch,  Mr.  Bunn.  His  anger  and  indiscretion  look  as  if  he 
were  near  the  end.  God  grant  it !  Amen !  Difficulty  in  answering 
Bulwer's  notes  without  giving  offence — at  last  dismissed  his  worrying 
prosings  with  brief  generalities. 

March  14ith. — Received  a  note  from  Bulwer  proposing  another 
subject  for  a  play  this  season,  if  I  wished  it.  What  an  indefatigable 
man.  Read  over  Richelieu.  Acted  the  part  very  fairly ;  was  called 
for  and  well  received.  The  Queen  was  in  the  theatre.  De  Vigny  came 
round  after  the  play  and  expressed  himself  delighted.  He  said  he 
would  write  to  me  from  Paris,  and  would  come  over  to  see  Shakspeare's 
plays  acted ;  he  could  not  dine  with  me,  as  he  Avas  leaving  town. 

March  18th. — Bulwer  looked  in  ;  asked  me  if  I  would  come  and 
dine  to  meet  Lady  Holland.  Sat  to  Miss  Gillies  for  the  portrait. 
Forster  came  in. 

March  21st. — Webster  called,  and  expressed  his  anxiety  to  give 
me  XlOO  per  week — £25  per  night  for  four  nights  a  week,  for  his 
whole  season,  to  the  15th  of  January.  I  promised  him  that  I  would 
sign  with  him  directly  the  proprietors  of  Covent  Garden  theatre 
declined  my  offer. 

March  23rJ. — Called  on  Dickens,  and  spoke  to  him  about  Haynes 
Bayley ;  he  gave  me  £5.  He  is  a  noble  fellow ;  he  promised  to  go  to 
the  Literary  Fund  about  the  £50.  Robertson  came  into  my  room, 
and  I  explained  to  him  the  nature  of  the  offer  which  I  intended  to 
make  to  the  proprietors.  He  seemed  to  think  it  not  unlikely  to  be 
entertained  by  them.  Serle  behaved  very  nobly,  when  the  enirage- 
ment  at  the  Haymarket  as  affecting  his  play  was  brought  forward  ; 
he  said  in  greater  matters  smaller  should  give  way,  and  his  play  should 
not  be  an  obstacle  to  an  arrangement.  Miss  Faucit  came  for  my 
signature  to  two  prints  of  Virginius. 

March  24>th. — Sheil  and  his  son  Richard,  whom  I  last  saw  in  petti- 
coats, now  a  young  man,  called.  Home  with  his  horrid  moustaches 
and  a  curious  cape  of  a  "  cloak  around  him  "  called.  Sheil  promised 
to  urge  I-.eigh  Hunt's  claim  for  a  pension. 

March  25th. — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Procter,  Mr.  and  Afrs.  Stanfiold.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Dickens,  Mrs.  Reid,  Dowling,  Price,  Martin,  Ktty,  Forster, 
Rooke,  Stone,  dined  with  us ;  a  cheerful  day. 

March  26th. — Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre,  rending  by  the 
way  Disraeli's  play.  Coming  home,  I  finished  the  perusal  of  Disraeli's 
play,   which  will  never  come  to  any  good.     It  is  taken  from   an  old 

S^3 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1839 

Spanish  ballad  on  the  Count  Alarcos,  and  the  Infanta  Solisa,  etc. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blanchard,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lough,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H. 
Smith,  Messrs.  E.  Webbe,  Z.  Troughton,  Mr.  and  Miss  Pope,  Mt. 
Harley,  came  to  dine. 

March  9nth. — Read  the  newspaper ;  was  disgusted  with  the  tone 
of  the  American  Press  anticipating  a  war  with  England.  War !  war  I 
That  men,  the  creatures  of  a  God  of  wisdom  and  of  love,  should  rush 
forward  in  savage  delight  to  mangle  and  slay  each  other!  Oh,  God! 
oh,  God  I  when  will  Thy  blessed  gift  of  reason  be  universal  in  its  use 
among  men?  Mr.  and  Miss  Rolls,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fonblanque,  Miss 
Martineau,  Mr.  Carlyle,  Dr.  Elliotson,  Charles  and  Arthur  Buller, 
Browning,  Darwin,  Miss  P.  Horton,  and  Mr.  Brockedon  dined  with 
us  ;  an  agreeable  day. 

March  28th. — Forster  called  at  the  theatre,  and  told  me  that 
Bulwer  had  nearly  finished  his  play,  which  is  most  powerful.  Return- 
ing from  the  theatre,  read  two  more  acts  of  Mr.  James's  milk-and-water 
play.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Horace  Twiss,  Mrs.  Kitchener,  Fanny  and  Amelia 
Twiss,  Barham,  Fladgate,  Munro,  Walker,  Cattermole,  Maclise  dined 
with  us. 

March  29th. — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kenney,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Serle,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  T.  Cooke,  Forster,  Wallace,  Vining,  Anderson,  Jerdan  came  to 
dinner. 

March  SOth. — After  looking  over  the  newspapers,  gave  my  atten- 
tion to  the  consideration  of  what  I  ought  to  say,  and  how  I  should 
say  it,  at  the  dinner  to  be  given  to  me  to-day  by  the  Shakspeare  Club. 
My  whole  morning  I  was  fretting  and  endeavouring  to  string  together 
in  my  mind  some  connected  chain  of  ideas  to  serve  me  for  a  speech  or 
speeches  this  evening.  Went  to  dine  at  the  Shakspeare  Club.  Dickens 
was  in  the  Chair,  Jerdan  and  Blanchard,  the  two  Vice-Presidents, 
Procter,  Stanfield,  I.eigh  Hunt,  Maclise,  Cattermole,  Jerrold,  Thacke- 
ray, Lover,  Charles  I^andseer,  T.  Landseer,  Dow,  Stone,  Forster, 
King,  T.  Hill,  Bell,  Harley  invited,  and  about  twenty  more  sat  down 
to  dinner.  The  day  passed  off  most  agreeably ;  the  dinner  was  very 
handsome,  songs  well  selected.  One  song  immediately  after  the  health 
of  my  dear  wife  and  family,  '*  Was  She  not  passing  fair?  "  was  very 
sweet,  as  also  the  "  I^ove  and  Glory."  The  most  hearty  sympathy 
I  almost  ever  witnessed  was  unbroken  through  the  evening.  I  was 
obliged  to  remain  until  the  business  of  the  day  was  done,  and  was 
astonished  to  learn  from  the  waiter  that  it  was  a  quarter  past  twelve. 
I  set  Mr.  Harley  down,  and  on  coming  home,  racked  with  headache 
504 


CHAHLES    DICKENS 

(1839) 
Froni  an  e»gravl,ig  bv  Fiiulen  0/  th'  )Ku.>iin;i  by  l^mitl  Marlitf.  Hi. 


1839]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

from  the  heat  of  the  room,  reported  all  to  Catherine  and  Letty,  whilst 
I  had  the  power  of  remembering.     Dickens's  speech  in  proposing  my 
health  was  most  earnest,  eloquent,   and  touching.     It  took  a  review 
of  my  enterprise  at  Covent  Garden,  and  summed  up  with  an  eulogy 
on   myself  that  quite  overpowered   me.     In   reply   I  said,   '*  That  in 
expressing  the  peculiar  gratification  of  such  a  compliment  from  a  society 
met  to  do  honour  to  Shakspeare,  I  disclaimed  all  credit  beyond  what 
was  due  for  faithful  service  to  him,  transferring  from  the  priest  to  the 
object  of  their  adoration  the  honour  they  offered.     I  had  no  claim  for 
originating  or  creating ;  I  had  merely  removed  and  restored  ;  was  only 
the  purifier  of  the  temple,  had  only  restored  to  its  sublime  simplicity 
the  text  of  Shakspeare.     I  said  that  I  must  ever  deeply  feel  the  obliga- 
tions they  had  conferred  on  me ;  that  it  added  to  the  pleasure  I  felt, 
to  know  that  among  tliose  willing  to  contribute  their  sympathy  to  the 
occasion,  I  might  reckon  my  excellent  and  amiable  friend,  our  absent 
President,  whose  genius  as  poet  and  as  critic  had  shed  such  additional 
lustre  on  the  glories  of  our  dramatic  literature ;  to  see  presiding  on 
this  day  my  highly  gifted  friend  Mr.  Dickens ;  and  to  number  amongst 
my   distinguished    hosts   the   poet,    whose   youthful    muse,   when   just 
*  waving   her  joyous   song,'  stooped  from   the   nobler  flight   she  was 
pursuing  to  bestow  a  wreath  upon  my  then  unnoted  efforts — the  poet 
whose  beautiful  dramatic  scenes,  then  just  given  to  the  world,  induced 
us  to  believe  that  the  sweet  and  brilliant  spirit  of  Fletcher,  which  we 
had  thought  long  dead,  had  only  been  sleeping.     With   so  much  to 
enhance  the  pleasure  they  conferred  upon  me,  I  could  not  adequately 
convey  the  expression  of  my  feelings,  but  I  requested  thcni  to  believe 
that  I  thanked  them,  as  I  felt,  most  fervently  and  most  deeply,  and 
that  I  never  could  forget  their  kindness,"  etc.     I  sat  down  amid  loud 
applause,  and  then  prepared  to  enjoy  what  was  left  of  the  day.     Dickens 
spoke  on  each  occasion  remarkably  well ;  dear  Stanfield  said  his  little 
with  his  usual  modesty.     Mr.  Bell  made  a  very  good  speech,  kindly 
adverting   to   me.      T.eigh    Hunt   was   called    up,    being   an    honorary 
member  and  guest  of  the  day,  and  in  a  rambling,  conversational  style 
talked  of  what  Shakspeare  would  think  if  he  could  walk  into  the  room 
and  ask  on  what  man's  account  all  this  festivity  and  sympathy  was 
raised,  and  how  surprised  and  pleased  he  would  be  to  loam  that  it  was 
himself.    Jerdan  spoke  very  well ;  Doo  the  engraver ;  Forster  ;  Stanfield 
gave  Mrs.  Macready  and  her  family,  and  T  answered  by  wishing  that 
I  had  the  readiness  of  one  of  them  who  would  bo  delighted  to  he  there 
(a  little  girl)  and  to  make  a  speech  on  the  occasion.     I  rose  to  propose 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1839 

Dickens's  health,  and  spoke  my  sincere  opinion  of  him  as  the  highest 
eulogy,  by  alluding  to  the  verisimilitude  of  his  characters.  I  said 
that  I  should  not  be  surprised  at  receiving  the  offer  of  an  engagement 
from  Crummies  for  the  next  vacation.  All  went  off  in  the  happiest 
spirit.  Procter — mirabile  dictu! — so  yielded  to  the  spirit  of  enjoy- 
ment that  he  fell  at  last  into  a  profound  sleep  of  nearly  two  hours ;  we 
parted,  in  the  best  of  spirits,  at  past  one  o'clock. 

March  Slst. — Forster  called,  and  spoke  very  warmly  of  the  success 
of  yesterday's  fete — that  the  delight  was  universal  through  the  party. 
I  am  pleased  to  hear  it.  Finished  the  perusal  of  Mr.  James's  play,  and 
came  to  an  opinion  that  will  shock  his  anticipations.  Wrote  a  very 
courteous  note  to  J.  Disraeli  ^  on  his  play,  and  to  Mr.  G.  B.  James  on 
his ;  it  is  not  so  easy  to  write  a  play  as  a  novel. 

April  ^rd. — Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre ;  on  my  way 
looked  at  Marino  Faliero,  with  a  view  to  its  production  for  my 
Benefit. 

April  6th. — Received  a  note  from  Miss  M.  Gillies,  with  the 
miniature  of  Richelieu,  which  she  asked  me  to  present  to  Catherine. 
Webster  called,  talked  over  with  him  the  terms  of  engagement ;  he 
yielded  everything  to  me  that  I  required,  and  I  signed  an  agreement 
with  him  to  the  15th  January  next.  Forster  called  and  heard  the 
news,  which  seemed  to  stagger  him.  When  he  had  had  time  to  think 
over  it,  he  thought  it  for  the  best.  Went  with  Forster  to  Covent 
Garden  theatre.  Robertson  had  been  inquiring  for  me.  When  he  came 
in,  he  had  nothing  to  say — looked  very  gloomy  and  seemed  to  under- 
stand that  the  business  of  my  separation  from  the  theatre  was  finally 
settled.  Decided  on  announcing  my  retirement.  Drew  up  the 
advertisement.^ 

April  1th. — Called  on  Stanfield,  and  told  him  the  state  of  affairs 
at  Covent  Garden  theatre — that  I  should  get  out  King  Henry  V  and 
wish  to  have  his  aid.  He  most  readily — heart  and  hand — went  with 
my  views,  blaming  extremely  the  stupidity  of  the  proprietors.  Took 
Willie  with  me,  and  called  on  Messrs.  Chalon  to  see  their  pictures ; 
met  Mr.  Ward  there ;  went  on  and  called  on  Sir  D.  Wilkie ;  saw  his 
sister  and  himself;  the  picture  of  the  "Highland  Cotter's  Grave," 
"The  Discovery  of  Tippo  Sahib's  Body,"  etc.  Met  Dickens  and  his 
wife  there. 

^  If  the  initial  of  the  Christian  name  was  accurately  given  by  Macready,  the  author  of  the 
play  must  have  been  James,  not  Benjamin  Disraeli. 

*  Ji^egotiations  for  a  prolongation  of  Macready's  tenancy  had  been  broken  off. 
506 


1839]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

April  8th. — Willmott  came  in,  spoke  of  the  grief  and  gloom  that 
had  been  spread  over  the  theatre.  Robertson  came;  informed  me 
that  Mr.  C.  Kean  was  engaged  by  Mr.  Webster.  I  was  not  disposed 
to  believe  it.  Serle  and  Brydone  were  in  my  room ;  nothing  but 
lamentation  and  despondency  on  the  subject  of  my  retirement.  Harley 
came  in,  and  was  quite  affected  in  speaking  about  it.  Elton  called  to 
ask  me  to  be  a  Trustee  to  the  General  Theatrical  Fund ;  also  inquired 
if  I  should  object  to  Mr.  Farren  as  a  colleague.  I  said  certainly  I 
should.  He  then  spoke  of  Bulwer  and  Talfourd.  Haynes  called,  in 
a  state  of  weak  despair.  I  cheered  him  as  well  as  I  could  and  recom- 
mended him  to  get  the  programme  of  Rizzio  ready  for  me.  Webster 
called.  I  questioned  him  about  Mr.  C.  Kean ;  he  admitted  it ;  I 
thought  it  very  disingenuous  in  him  and  was  not  pleased.  I  recom- 
mended— if  he  could  with  prudence  and  safety  to  his  financial  arrange- 
ments and  if  he  wished  to  make  his  theatre  a  miniature  Covent  Garden, 
that  he  should  strengthen  his  company  by  engaging  Mr.  Anderson, 
Willmott,  and  Mrs.  Warner.  He  said  he  certainly  would,  though 
the  recommendation  did  not  seem  very  palatable  to  him. 

April  dth. — In  node  consilium.  It  should  be  a  rule  for  every 
man  to  forbear  a  judgment  upon  his  own  affairs  or  condition,  until 
the  passion  and  excitement  attendant  upon  any  circumstance  acting 
on  them  shall  have  passed  away.  My  greatest  enemy — the  stumbling- 
hlock  of  my  life — has  been  passion,  and  its  consequent  evil,  precipita- 
tion. If  I  could  have  deferred  acting  or  speaking  (and  speech  is 
action — "words  are  things")  until  I  had  deliberated,  how  much  of 
pain,  how  much  of  misrepresentation  I  should  have  escaped !  In  this 
recent  affair  of  retiring  from  Covent  Garden  theatre  I  now  see,  that 
though  my  retirement  is  injurious  to  the  interests  of  dramatic  taste, 
and  will  jeopardize  the  comfort  of  certain  individuals,  yet  it  is  a  thing 
with  which  the  public  will  no  further  concern  itself  than  by  a  casual 
expression  of  regret  or  indifference.  We  hold  our  own  conduct  and 
actions  so  close  to  our  own  eyes  that  they  seem  to  fill  all  space  of  sight 
— the  world  looks  at  them  in  their  proper  distance,  and  sees  their 
infinite  littleness.  I  ought  to  remember  my  poor  fatiier's  **  world  " 
— which  he  conceived  in  his  affairs.  It  consisted  of  two  or  three 
miserable  dependents!  I  must  go  quietly  on,  conduct  myself  evenly 
and  modestly,  and  be  contented  with  what  God  iz-ives  me.  But  this 
impatience  of  opposition  is  one  of  the  ills,  induced  or  aggravated  by  a 
course  of  Management.  I,et  me  then  be  thankful  that  I  am  acrain 
restored  to  the  healthier  state  of  meditative  tranquillity  and  peace  of 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1839 

mind !  God  bless  my  dearest  family  and  grant  that  I  may  make  them 
good  and  happy.  Willmott  came  into  my  room  to  tell  me  that  a 
notice  had  been  put  up  in  the  Hall,  requiring  "  the  performers  to 
meet  the  proprietors  in  the  Saloon  at  three  o'clock. — Signed  H.  Robert- 
son." I  was  shocked  at  this  gross  impertinence  of  my  servant,  Mr. 
Robertson  and  the  vulgar  outrage  on  my  rights  by  the  proprietors. 
Passing  by  the  green-room  I  saw  the  same  notice  on  the  glass.  I 
pulled  it  down  and  threw  it  into  the  fire.  As  the  play  proceeded  I 
saw  more  clearly  the  very  low  conduct  of  these  men,  and  my  equanimity 
returned — particularly  on  reading  and  repeating  some  of  the  beautiful 
maxims  of  Prospero.  There  is  some  virtue  in  poetry ;  it  has  often 
helped  my  mind  in  its  struggles.  Acted  fairly  Prospero ;  was  called 
for  by  the  audience,  and  well  received.  (Miss  P.  Horton  and  Miss 
Faucit  came  to  speak  to  me.  I  desired  them  both  to  go  to  the  Actors' 
Meeting.)  Talfourd  thought  that  they  might  just  as  well  have  called 
the  '*  Meeting  "  in  my  private  room,  or  even  in  my  "  drawing-room  at 
Cumberland  Terrace."  Talfourd  thought  it  a  most  happy  thing  that 
I  was  released  from  the  management,  which  was  actually  consuming 
life,  health,  and  all  delight-. 

April  10th. — Dickens  called,  and  told  me  that  the  Shakespeare  Club 
had  an  objection  to  Mr.  Fox  as  a  member,  and  that  he  certainly  would 
be  black-balled,  except  through  the  effect  of  my  proposal  of  him  ;  he 
wished  the  ballot  therefore  to  be  deferred,  to  which  I  very  regretfully 
assented.  Brydone  called.  Webster  came  and  spoke  to  me  about  his 
engagements.  A  little  after  five  Willmott  came  from  the  meeting  of 
actors  and  proprietors,  and  told  me  that  Serle  had  been  behaving  in 
the  noblest  manner,  and  had  defended  me  from  the  attacks  made  upon 
me  by  Messrs.  Lowndes,  Forbes,  and  attested  by  Mr.  Robertson,  who 
read  all  the  letters  that  I  had  written  in  confidence  to  him !  !  !  Serle 
came  in  and  gave  me  an  account  of  the  rascally  proceeding  of  these 
men,  and  the  dastardly  behaviour  of  the  players.  Of  all  the  base 
occurrences  that  have  come  to  fret  my  life,  this  has  been  among  the 
most  disgusting.  I  was  dreadfully  excited,  my  head  aching  with  its 
throbbing.  Sent  for  Mr.  Robertson ;  he  came  the  very  picture  of  the 
most  abject  guilt  that  I  ever  in  my  life  saw.  I  very  quietly  upbraided 
him  with  his  perfidy,  and  desired  him  to  make  up  his  accounts  and  pay 
my  balance  into  Ransom's.  He  said  that  he  could  not  do  that  without 
speaking  to  the  proprietors.  So  that  it  appears  these  wretched  scoun- 
drels have  kept  me  on  for  two  years  in  the  delusion  that  I  have  been 
the  lessee  of  the  theatre  upon  a  mutual  pledge  of  honour  which  they 
508 


1839]  THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

have  utterly  disregarded  and  held  as  nothing.  Acted  well ;  called  for 
and  well  received. 

April  nth. — Looked  at  the  paper.  Went  to  the  theatre.  The 
business  of  the  negotiation  occupied  the  whole  day — it  was  to  get  the 
theatre  exclusively  into  my  hands — to  get  rid  of  Mr.  Robertson. 
Letters  passed ;  I  am  now  in  such  a  state  of  excitement  that  I  cannot 
write  down  the  circumstances.  This  is  the  worst  kind  of  torture,  this 
St.  Vitus^s  dance  of  the  mind — it  is  horrible.  Dreadfully  excited  I 
God  help  me  I 

April  IMh. — Went  down  to  Covent  Garden  theatre — Willmott  and 
Serle — debated  over  the  state  of  things ;  Willmott  read  the  papers  which 
Mr.  Robertson  had  sent  as  the  basis  of  the  agreement,  and  we  found 
that,  according  to  them,  I  was  manacled  in  every  way  as,  literally,  the 
servant — instead  of  the  tenant — of  the  proprietors.  They  went  away, 
saying  it  was  useless  to  contend  with  tliese  papers ;  I  was  in  the  toils, 
and  1  must  be  patient.  Mr.  Harley  called,  and  with  much  weeping 
offered  to  be  security  for  the  payments  of  my  offered  £2000,  as  lessee 
of  Covent  Garden  theatre.  I  thanked  him,  but  told  him  I  was  engaged 
elsewhere.  Lay  down  in  bed  and  tried  to  sleep ;  could  neither  eat  dinner 
nor  drink  wine  ;  ate  nothing  the  lohole  day;  was  surprised  to  find  myself 
so  strong  upon  two  cups  of  tea.  Acted  Claude  Melnotte  very  fairly, 
but  was  much  excited  by  seeing  Captain  Forbes  '  witli  a  large  party 
behind  the  scenes,  and  occupy  the  Kent  box !  Felt  disposed  to  insult 
him  ;  thank  God,  I  did  not ! 

April  13t/t. — Willmott  and  Brydone  returned  from  their  appoint- 
ment with  Messrs.  Robertson  and  IJartley,  Mr.  Hartley  wlio,  on  the 
two  previous  evenings,  had  distinctly  remarked  that  I  was  the  uncon- 
trolled, undisputed  "lessee,  or — for  he  wished  to  quibble  on  that  word 
— director,  or  conductor  or  tenant" — "aye,  that  was  the  word, 
tenant  " — had,  as  he  expressed  it,  "  slept  upon  it,  and  this  morning 
found  out  that  he  had  recollected  wrongly  before,  and  that  Mr.  R()l>ert- 
son  was  the  person  who  was  to  have  the  whole  custody  of  the  monies, 
etc. ! !  !  Mr.  Rartley  was  a  traitor  from  the  beginning,  and,  as  Swift 
says  of  Walpole,  only  acts  according  to  his  nature.  It  therefore  now 
appears  that  I  am  the  foreman  of  this  concern  upon  a  salary  from  the 
proprietors.  The  effect  of  the  communication  was  very  distressing  to 
me.  I  resolved  at  first  to  withdraw  my  name  from  the  bills,  and  lot 
the  theatre  close  itself.  I  could  not  bear  the  thought  of  keeping  the 
piece  of  plate  which  the  actors  had  given  me,  after  their  Inte  behaviour 

*  One  of  the  proprietors. 

509 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1839 

to  me.  I  showed  my  Diary  to  Serle,  Willmott,  and  Brydone,  and  they 
felt  that  it  was  evidence.  Brydone  began  with  some  of  his  prudential 
suggestions,  which  excited  me  to  such  a  pitch  of  impetuosity  that  poor 
Brydone  was  quite  overcome.  I  explained  to  him  afterwards  that  it 
was  not  ad  hominenif  but  ad  rem  that  my  impatience  went.  Resolved 
at  once  to  summon  the  performers,  and  state  the  facts  before  them. 
They  were  in  considerable  numbers  in  the  green-room  when  I  entered 
with  the  proprietors'  letter  and  this  book.  I  began  my  address  to  them 
by  informing  them  what  I  feared  from  a  recent  circumstance  would 
seem  strange  to  some  of  them — that  it  was  possible  a  man  might  have 
high  aspirations  and  be  actuated  by  nobler  motives  than  the  merely 
getting  money.  I  asserted  the  intentions  with  which  I  had  entered 
on  the  theatre,  and  went  through  the  history  of  my  being  ensnared  into 
this  shameful  toil ;  of  my  conversations,  etc.,  with  that  wretched 
Robertson ;  of  Mr.  Bartley's  treacherous  memory ;  of  my  proposal  for 
a  future  lease,  and  the  full  account  of  my  conduct  and  motives  since  I 
had  entered  on  the  theatre ;  my  principal  object  having  been,  not 
wishing  to  ruin  or  injure  myself,  their  advancement  and  comfort.  I 
stigmatized  as  it  deserved  the  shameful  falsehood  and  dishonourable 
conduct  of  the  proprietors ;  I  concluded  by  stating  the  position  in  which 
I  stood — having  been  for  two  years  juggled  into  the  belief  that  I  was 
the  lessee,  and  finding  myself  only  the  salaried  foreman  of  the  theatre. 
But,  without  any  conditions,  as  our  connection  was  soon  to  end,  I  would 
under  all  the  indignities  I  endured,  for  their  sakes,  carry  on  the  theatre 
to  the  end.  There  was  great  emotion,  indignation,  and  much  applause 
in  various  parts  of  my  long  speech — for  it  lasted  more  than  an  hour 
and  a  quarter.  Mrs.  Warner  came  into  my  room,  quite  overcome,  and 
unable  to  speak  for  her  tears ;  I  kissed  her,  and  understood  perfectly 
what  she  could  not  give  utterance  to.  The  assembled  actors,  etc.,  sent 
a  message  to  me  by  Serle  and  Willmott,  expressive  of  their  unqualified 
admiration,  gratitude  and  sympathy,  and  thanking  me  in  the  strongest 
terms  that  they  could  find  for  my  care  of  them.  They  also  sent  a 
resolution,  which  a  committee  was  to  meet  and  prepare  for  signature 
on  Monday.  I  was  greatly  relieved  l)y  this  discharge  of  my  irritation 
and  indignation,  and  felt  cjuite  comfortable ;  it  was  a  sedative  to  me. 
Acted  Richelieu  as  well  as  I  could.  Poor  Miss  Faucit  was  very  ill — 
fainted  away,  and  Miss  P.  Horton  read  the  remainder  of  her  part.  Saw 
her  after  the  play ;  she  was  much  better.  Talfourd  came  into  my 
room,  Forster  and  Dickens  also. 

April  14t/i. — Dined  with  Mrs.  Rolls;  met  an  agreeable  party.     Sir 
510 


1839]  THE  DIARIES   OF   MACREADY 

W.  and  Lady  Hemes,  Mr.  Powell,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bohn,  and  Elliotson ; 
Etty,  Miss  Rolls,  etc. 

April  15th. — Looked  at,  the  paper,  and  was  glad  to  find  that  there 
was  no  notice  from  those  base  persons,  the  proprietors.  Went  to 
Covent  Garden  theatre.  The  deputation  of  the  company  came  into 
my  room — Messrs.  Harley,  Vandenhoff,  Anderson,  Elton,  and  Phelps — 
to  present  me  with  the  resolutions  of  the  Covent  Garden  company,  and 
expressing  their  desire  to  publish  them,  if  I  would  permit  it,  and  that 
they  would  receive  my  answer  to-morrow.  I  replied  in  a  few  words, 
expressive  of  my  satisfaction  that  the  understanding  which  should 
subsist  between  myself  and  the  company  had  been  re-established,  and 
thanking  them,  etc.  When  they  had  left  me,  I  found  the  resolution 
altered  and  emasculated  from  that  of  Saturday ;  in  fact,  I  set  no  value 
on  it ;  a  mere  string  of  empty  praises  from  men,  whose  praise  has  no 
charm  for  me,  and  an  omission  of  the  important  passage  of  the  first 
copy,  attributing  their  acquittal  of  the  proprietors  to  the  misstatements 
made  by  those  persons.  I  was  shocked  and  pained  to  see  the  hopeless 
feebleness  and  servile  character  of  these  men.  Serle  came  in,  and 
expressed  a  cordial  sympathy  with  me  on  the  subject,  adding  his  con- 
viction that  they  never  could  be  depended  upon ;  that  they  were,  and 
ever  would  be,  slaves. 

April  16th. — Went  to  Covent  Garden  theatre.  I  sent  for  Mr. 
Elton,  and  told  him  that  I  supposed  it  was  unnecessary  to  see  the  whole 
deputation  of  performers,  but  that  I  might  communicate  to  him  for 
the  body  that  I  had  read  the  resolution  and  wished  it  not  to  be  printed. 
He  was  very  much  confused,  and  evidently  distressed.  He  said  he 
feared  that  it  was  not  altogether  satisfactory  to  me.  I  told  him  that 
it  was  useless  to  enter  upon  any  question  upon  the  subject,  that  I  had 
said  all  that  was  necessary  last  night,  and  that  I  had  only  to-day  to 
return  an  answer  to  the  question  of  publication.  He  left  mo  very 
uncomfortably.  Mr.  Fox  wondered  at  my  coldness,  but  when  I  narrated 
to  him  the  facts  as  they  had  occurred,  he  said  that  I  was  perfectly 
right.  Acted  King  Lear  vcrji  •well — as  well,  if  not  bettor  than  I  had 
ever  done.  Was  called  for  by  the  audionce,  and  went  on,  leaning 
upon  Miss  P.  Horton  ;  was  very  greatly  received.  Note  of  invitation 
to  dinner  from  old  Lady  Cork  '  for  Friday  next.  Dickens  and  Forster 
came  into  my  room. 

*  Mary,  Countess  of  Cork  and  Orrery  (1746-1840),  ti/e  the  Hon.  Mar>-  Monckton ;  the 
aristocratic  "blue  stocking  "  ;  for  over  seventy  years  -^hr  had  mingl-d  in  the  most  hrilli.int 
circles  of  the  eighteenth  and  nineteenth  centuries,  and  could  claim  to  have  entcrlainevl  nearly 

5" 


THE   DIARIES   OF   MACREADY  [1839 

April  28t?i. — Woke  early,  and  fell  into  reflections,  painful  at  first 
from  the  indignation  and  disgust  which  must  arise  in  thinking  upon 
baseness  and  evil ;  but  I  have  thought  myself  into  a  happier  state  of 
mind  by  considering  the  actual  amount  of  injury  which  these  base  and 
bad  men  have  the  power  of  doing  me.  If  I  do  not  injure  myself,  if  I 
only  preserve  my  temper,  and  let  the  facts  between  us  speak,  I  must 
remain  with  a  great  increase  of  reputation,  and  they,  when  their  conduct 
is  known,  must  be  condemned ;  they  may  rob  me  of  my  claims  for 
surplus,  but  what  is  £350  to  the  peaceful  possession  of  the  honour  that 
must  attach  to  me  for  what  I  have  done,  and  striven  to  do !  I  feel 
myself  above  them. 

April  SOth. — Went  to  Elstree  in  the  carriage  with  Catherine  and 
Willie ;  enjoyed  to  a  degree  I  cannot  describe  the  air,  the  freedom,  the 
sight  of  the  country,  and  the  old  familiar  objects  of  my  passage  to  and 
from  Elstree ;  it  was  luxury,  quiet,  ease,  content ;  it  was  happiness.  I 
could  only  liken  my  sensations  to  those  of  a  person  first  tasting  the 
fresh  and  genial  air  from  the  long  confinement  of  a  sick  room,  or  the 
captivity  in  a  prison.  It  was  delightful.  Surprised  to  find  Elstree, 
that  used  to  look  so  pretty,  now  appear  close,  flat,  shabby !  Thus  we 
judge  of  all  things  in  this  world — ah,  how  unwisely ! — by  comparison  ; 
the  glory  in  the  grass,  the  splendour  in  the  flower,  the  delicious  breath 
of  heaven,  and  its  gorgeous  vision  of  cloud,  and  star,  and  sun,  are 
everywhere  the  same. 

every  literary  and  political  celebrity  during  that  period.  In  her  youth  she  had  lieen  flattered 
by  Johnson  and  painted  by  Reynolds.  There  are  many  anecdotes  of  her  eccentricities,  which 
included  in  her  old  age  an  inability  to  appreciate  the  distinction  between  "  raeum  and 
tuum." 


END   OF    VOLUME    I 


*.' 


Richard  Clay  &•  Sons,  Limittd,  London  and  Bungay 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY,  LOS  ANGELES 

COLLEGE  LIBRARY 

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